Although the Bear was reputed for running a conservative, ball control offense, he could also coach a passing team, when he had the perfect fit in a quarterback. His 1950 star quarterback while at the University of Kentucky was Vito Babe Parilli. Parilli set a record of 27 touchdown passes during the 1950 season. His Alabama passing stars included Bart Starr, Joe Willie Namath, and also Kenny The Snake Stabler.

The Bears records include a winning percentage of .780 and:

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS:
1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979

NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR:
1961, 1971, 1973

SEC TITLES:
1961, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981

SEC COACH OF THE YEAR:
1960, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981

BOWL RECORD:
12-10-2

INDUCTED IN THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME:
1986

A poem near and dear to the Bears heart was the following:

This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is very important, because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever. Leaving something in its place, I have traded for it. I want it to be a gain, not a loss good, not evil. Success, not failure in order that I shall not forget the price I paid for it.

The Bear was known for his memorable quips; they should be shared.

How many people watch you give a final exam? [About 50 was the reply] Well, I have 50,000 watch me give mine every Saturday!

(To English Professor Tommy Mayo at Texas A&M when questioned about his emphasis on winning and his salary)

Sure Id like to beat Notre Dame; dont get me wrong. But nothing matters more than beating that cow college on the other side of the state.

(To a group of Alabama boosters before an Auburn game...This comment was reported statewide, and Auburn upset the Tide a few days later.)

You couldnt play four years and be good enough to cost the University of Alabama thirty yards!

(A furious Bryant to a player who had just received his second fifteen yard penalty of the game)

He cant run, he cant pass, and he cant kick. All he can do is beat you.

(Speaking about Alabama QB Pat Trammel)

All I know is, I dont want to stop coaching, and I dont want to stop winning, so were gonna break the record unless I die.

(This was Bryants answer, when asked if he would break Alonzo Staggs record of 314 college wins.)

I know one thing, Id rather die now than to have died this morning and missed the game.

(Coach Bryants response after Alabamas win over unbeaten Auburn in 1971)

What the hells the matter with you people down there? Dont yall take your football seriously?

(Coach Bryant, upon calling Auburn at 6 AM only to find out that none of the Auburn coaches were in their offices yet)

Heres a twenty, bury two.

(Coach Bryant, after being asked to chip in ten dollars to help cover the cost of a sportswriters funeral)

Im just a simple plow hand from Arkansas, but I have learned over the years how to hold a team togetherhow to lift some men uphow to calm others downuntil finally theyve got one heartbeat. Then youve got yourself a team.

(Bryant, when asked why he was so successful as a coach)

1. Surround yourself with people who cant live without football.
2. Recognize winners. They come in all forms.
3. Have a plan for everything.

(Bryants three rules for coaching)

Other quips from the Bear include:

What mattersis not the size of the dog in the fight, but of the fight in the dog.

Dont talk too much or too soon.

In a crisis, dont hide behind anything or anybody. Theyre going to find you anyway.

When you make a mistake, admit it. Learn from it and dont repeat it.

Football changes, and so do people. The successful coach is the one who sets the trend, not the one who follows it.

If you dont have discipline, you cant have a successful program.

You have to be willing to out-condition your opponents.

Sacrifice. Work. Self-discipline. I teach these things, and my boys dont forget them when they leave.

When you win, theres glory enough for everybody. When you lose, theres glory for none.

When youre number one, you dont play for the tie.

I dont have any ideas; my coaches have them. I just pass the idea and referee the arguments.

I dont hire anybody not brighter than I am. If theyre not smarter than me, I dont need them.

Every time a player goes out there, at least 20 people have some amount of influence on him. His mother has more influence than anyone. I know, because I played, and I loved my mama.

If anything goes bad, I did it. If anything goes semi-good, we did it. If anything goes real good, you did it. Thats all it takes to get people to win football games.

In life youll have your back up against the wall many times. You might as well get used to it.
You never know how a horse will pull until you hook him to a heavy load.

The first time you quit, its hard. The second time it gets easier. The third time, you dont even have to think about it.

Dont give up a half time. Concentrate on winning the second half.

One man doesnt make a team. It takes 11.

If you were to ask me if football is a coachs game, Id have to say it is and always was.

Im known as the recruiter. Well youve got to have chicken to make chicken salad.
The first thing a football coach needs when hes starting out is a wife whos willing to put up with a whole lot of neglect. The second thing is a five year contract.

The Alumni are starting to grumble, and Im the one starting it.

No coach has ever won a game by what he knows; its what his players know that counts.

There ought to be a special place in heaven for coaches wives.

I dont care how much talent a team has if the boys dont think tough, practice tough, and live tough, how can they play tough on Saturday?

Winning isnt imperative, but getting tougher in the fourth quarter is.

I had to leave Texas. As long as Gordon Wood was there, I could never be the best coach in the state.

Boys, Id like to introduce you to Coach Wallace Wade. Hes the man responsible for the great tradition of Alabama football.

When we have a good team, I know its because we have boys that come from good mommas and pappas.

Age has nothing to do with it. You can be out of touch at any age.