Football's Supercoach

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Alabama Trainer Jim Goosetree, who has watched Bryant refine his approach in the past 22 years, puts it more precisely. Says he: "There is a degree of fear motivation still present in his personality. It's the fear of failing to live up to his expectations. He has recognized that the values of young people are different from what they were at one time; but in a fatherly way, he still demands a degree of discipline that is high."

But other coaches have been just as demanding and made their players fear failure too. Bryant became and stayed a winner because his players knew he cared deeply about them and their welfare. Bryant's concern goes deep and lasts long after the athletes have graduated. Against the advice of his business advisers, he has co-signed loans for his former team members and quietly helped them in their careers. Says Royal: "The greatest testimony that any coach can have is those guys who have long since been out of the program. You go ask them how they feel about Bryant, and it's great right down the line. Charisma alone doesn't do it. He's gone out of his way to do favors for these guys for them to be as devoted to him as they are."

As part of his motivation program, Bryant has his players write down a set of goals, then tries to see that they accomplish them. No detail is overlooked. Running Back Major Ogilvie remembers the first things Bryant told his group of freshmen: "Be courteous to everyone, write home to your parents, and keep your rooms neat." Says Ogilvie: "He's so involved in your future. He teaches us as people, not as football players. He relates football to life rather than life to football."

Bryant houses his players in the Paul W. Bryant Hall, a $2 million athletic dorm opened in 1963, where there are tutors available and the rules are strict. Indeed, the dorm is the only one on campus where the rule against coed visits in rooms is strictly enforced. Says Jack Rutledge, a Bryant assistant: "We don't have any agitation because Coach Bryant sets the policy, and that's that."

One of the hallmarks of Bryant's style is an unrivaled sense of the symbolic. Throughout his career, he has been known for the dramatic gesture that galvanizes players, opponents and fans. When he became head coach at Texas A&M in 1954, he walked into a student meeting, took off his topcoat at the back of the hall, pulled off his jacket and tie as he stepped to the podium, stomped on them, then kicked them aside. Finally, he rolled up his sleeves, leaned into the microphone and announced in a low, firm voice: "My name is Bear Bryant and I'm ready to go to work."

Bryant serves similar notice before each game. He leads his team in a street-clothes tour of the stadium before retiring to the locker room. Following their coach's example, the players peer at the sun, test the wind, check the footing on the field. The message to rivals is clear: Alabama is checking things out; Alabama will be ready.