Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-11
WIN, LOSE OR
sUNAW By FRANCIS sTANN
What Makes Bear Run

$ A HURRIED VISITOR to the East Paul Bear
Bryant head football coach Of Texas AIM and Alabama
Oh yes Not until after the Aggies play Tennessee
in the Gator Bowl will Bryant officially relnqush his title
College Station. Tex and devote full time to Alabama,
which has signed him to lO-year contract
This is Bears third lO-year contract within very
few years He had at Kentucky at A6sM and now
thisone at Bama Before all of these he had lifetime
Job at Maryland. This Bear doesn't hibernate.
II never intended to leave Kentucky" Bryant was
saying. He had flown into New York from Texas TO
receive the New York News award and
en- route Tuscaloosa meet his 1858 squad Mean
while back on the ranch his Aggies waited for him to
ready them for the Gator Bowl
81 never intended to leave AIM either" he said I've
got every cent to my invested in Texas blood
money"
Then why you leavng?"
For just reason Bear said. Alabama There
isn't another school in the country that could make me
leave Ann"
BRYANTs STORY GOES like this:
after Alabama let J. B. Whitworth out as coach
maybe it was even before that happened got dozens
Of phone calls from my Alabama friends asking me to
come to Alabama. You know how they put it?"
"No"
what have you ever done for your own SCHOOL, they
asked It was embarrassing for two reasons. First,
haven't anything for Alabama since played there
Second, they make out some sort OF doctor OF
sick football teams I'm not; I'm just coach"
How did you get out of your contract at Amp"
Bear asked
They very nice. Just talked to them. I told
them that I'd be happy to spend the rest of my life in
Texas They said if had to go. had to CO."
when did you decide the move, before or after
the Texas AIM game?" Bryants Aggies seemingly
headed the Southwestern Conference championship
lost their last two games to Rice and Texas.
"I THINK I'D MADE up my mind just before the Texas
game" Bear said 1T wasn't losing the title that inu
enced me- We didn't have solid team most people
thought AS the on we began to show our
weaknesses and the other teams began to capitalize
them
when the season started thought I'd have good
players only had four, maybe FIVE. They weren't
enough"
II Alabamans are optimistic now that Bryant is
coming to minister the aiing Crimson Tide they can
be forgiven Despite his protests Bear has been making
like football doctor to the wounded ever since he came
out Of the Navy in 1916.
Bryant it was who started Maryland the road to
bgtme football When he announced that he was leaving
for Kentucky, students demonstrated at College Park
Kentucky just basketball school until Bear
arrived, and then the Wildcats became power in the
Southeastern Conference. When he moved TO Texas In
1884 the Aggie hadn't Southwestern title since l94
Bear 1t for AIM in 56 with undefeaed once tied
team.
WE'RE NOT GOING TO win big at Alabama
night" Bear saying Our policy will be to establish
a sensible program. Wen win and we'll lose some"
what about your recruiting program"
That's the one thing don't like about coaching
recruiting" Bryant said Actually, haven't done much
Of It, personally since assistant coach at Van
derbt before the Even then, Red Sanders did most
Of the selling to the boys We just lined 'em up"
During his stop in New York an eager TV sports
caster begged Bryant for interview First crack out
OF the box he showed more nerve than judgment
Coach" the interviewer said you criticized as a
who overemphasizes winning Can you tell us about
that"
Bryant looked at him stonily
Well" drawing his squech. Il certainly don't stress
iNng"