Paul William "Bear" Bryant (September 11, 1913 – January 26, 1983) was an American
college football player and coach. He was best known as the longtime head coach of the
University of Alabama football team. During his 25-year tenure as Alabama's
head coach, he amassed six national championships and thirteen conference championships. Upon his retirement in 1982, he held the
record for most wins as head coach in collegiate football history with 323 wins. At the University of Alabama, the
Paul W. Bryant Museum, Paul W. Bryant Hall, Paul W. Bryant Drive, and
Bryant–Denny Stadium are all named in his honor. He was also known for his trademark black and white "houndstooth" hat, deep voice, casually leaning up against the goal post during pre-game warmups, and frequently holding his rolled-up game plan while on the sidelines smoking a cigarette. Before arriving at Alabama, Bryant was head football coach at the
University of Maryland, the
University of Kentucky, and
Texas A&M University.