With the recent success of Alabama football and that success being credited to Coach Nick Saban, the comparison to Coach Bryant and his achievements has begun. Chalk it up to the modern tendency to prematurely use the term "Greatest" or consider it a realistic assessment. Whichever side you come down on will likely identify which you believe is accurate.
Considering the deductive skills necessary, anyone that never saw and understood what took place in Tuscaloosa during the Bryant era is eliminated from providing useful input. That rules out pretty much anyone born after 1966 and also those that died before 2009. So. To those that remain within the parameters outlined let the discussion begin.
I know, I know. Those of you eliminated feel you have been unfairly treated because after all, you can read and study and research. Right!? Well let me just burst your bubble. Unless you lived it you can never understand the brilliance of Elvis, or the Patriotism associated with John Wayne or the love affair the world had with Marilyn Monroe. Don't feel bad. You still have Puff Daddy (Or Whatever He Calls Himself These Days) and Mike Tyson and Michael Jackson, and oh yeah...Tiger Woods! Way to go next generation!
The point is. Coach Saban benefited from what was forged by the many Coaches that came before him. None of them more important and beneficial than Coach Bryant. At a time when the college football world was pretty much controlled by sportswriters on the West Coast and in Big Ten territory Coach Bryant took on and beat the sweetheart teams from both areas of the country.
The result was a new found respect for both Alabama and the S.E.C. brand of Football. There had been great teams before at Tennessee and OleMiss but not until Coach Bryant grabbed them by the pen did the sportswriters and college powers take "Suthun" football seriously.
Coach Bryant was instrumental in desegregating S.E.C. programs. Before he could convince those at his own "Univusitee" he convinced others with less of a stranglehold on old worn out notions. Not long after those good 'ol boys at Alabama saw the light and John Mitchell and Wilber Jackson began amazing Bama fans with their ability.
In the Decade of the 70's Alabama was the first team in history to win 100 games in a single decade. Now it happens all the time but back then it was monumental! I suppose I sound like I'm trying to lessen what Coach Saban is doing now. Not true. If you want to compare Coach Bryant to Coach Saban then be my guest. As for me I say, I'm glad to see this generation experience the greatness and domination of Alabama Football! I got to enjoy it in the ^0's and 70's and now, largely due to Coach Nick Saban you get to live it too!
So what's the final verdict in Coach Bear Bryant vs Coach Nick Saban? I believe it is 2 incredible Coaches that navigate the greatest football program in history through 2 different times with incredible results because they are 2 men cut from the same mold! Coach Bryant is an undeniable Legend. Coach Saban isn't finished yet with the portrait that he is painting that will undoubtedly frame him as a Legend as well.
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