Nothing but a winner. That's how he described himself even before he broke the record that made him the "winningest" coach in the history of big-time college football. Even though he is gone, today's University team shares a secret with Coach Paul William "Bear" Bryant. It's knowing what victory demands of you every day of your life.

Football got Bryant out from behind a plow and in front of a crowd when he was growing up in Morro Bottom, Arkansas. He earned a scholarship to Alabama through his size, strength, and spirit. He returned to Alabama as a coach because he said "Mama called." She needed him.

Bryant was national coach of the year three times, SEC coach of the year eight times, coached six national championship teams and on November 28, 1981, he became the winningest coach in the history of college football. Bryant retired from coaching with an astonishing 323 victories.

At the news of his death, flags in Tuscaloosa were lowered to half staff, and hundreds of mourners lined the streets to honor the passing of a legend.