Paul "Bear" Bryant

Birth date

Sep 11, 1913

"BEAR"

Feb 28, 1927

Wrestled a Bear for one dollar. He didn't get the dollar but the nick name stuck with him forever.

SEC

Feb 28, 1933

Bryant helps lead Alabama to the initial SEC championship

Marriage

Jun 28, 1935

Paul Bryant secretly marries Mary Harmon Black in Ozark, Ala. He doesn't tell Coach Frank Thomas in fear he'll take away his scholarship.

Alabama

Sep 28, 1958

Bryant begins coaching at his alma matter, The University of Alabama.

Championship

Feb 28, 1979

For the final time Bryant wins the national title, his sixth, as the Crimson Tide rolls through the season with a perfect 12-0 record, including a 24-9 win over Arkansas and Lou Holtz in the Sugar Bowl

Retirement

Dec 15, 1982

Paul Bryant officially announces his retirement from the University of Alabama. Including the bowl win over Illinois, Bryant finishes with a record of 242-46-9 for his 25 years at the Capstone

Sad day

Jan 26, 1983

Coach Paul Bryant dies at Druid City Hospital where he had entered the night before after suffering chest pains while visiting his friend Jimmy Hinton. He was 69-years-old.

High school championship

Feb 28, 2011

Paul Bryant helps lead his high school to the state championship.