Paul William “Bear” Bryant was a college football coach who had an illustrious career as the head coach of the University of Alabama football team, a post he held for 25 long and productive years. Lauded for being the most successful coach in the history of collegiate football in the U.S., he led his team to a record 323 wins. He was as much respected for his moral strength and courage as he was for his discipline and direction that made him a strict albeit much loved coach. Bryant, dressed in his trademark black and white houndstooth hat and sports jacket, watching the teams intently from the sidelines was a frequent sight during the warm ups and the games. A passionate football player from childhood, he led his team to victory in the Arkansas state football championship during his senior year in high school. In spite of being a brilliant player, he never played professionally and chose to become a coach upon his graduation. He served as the head football coach at the University of Maryland, the University of Kentucky, and Texas A&M University before coming to the University of Alabama for his historic innings as the most successful coach American collegiate football has ever seen.