Chapter I: Front Matter

_Building a_
CHAMPIONSHIP
_Football Team_

PAUL W. “BEAR” BRYANT

_Athletic Director and
Head Football Coach,
University of Alabama_

Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
PRENTICE-HALL, INC.

© 1960, BY
PRENTICE-HALL, INC.
Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF THIS BOOK
MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM, BY MIMEOGRAPH
OR ANY OTHER MEANS, WITHOUT PERMISSION
IN WRITING FROM THE PUBLISHER.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
CATALOGUE CARD NUMBER: 60-53173

Eighth Printing February, 1968

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

08605—BC

Dedication

To a few close associates who were genuinely dedicated to the game of football. These men were not only great assets to the game; they also exemplified the true American way of life. Had it not been for men like these, many of us would have fallen by the wayside. To them, I am forever grateful.

ROBERT A. COWAN
FORDYCE, ARKANSAS

FRANK W. THOMAS
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

W. A. ALEXANDER
GEORGIA TECH

H. R. “RED” SANDERS
U. C. L. A.

CHARLES CALDWELL
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

HERMAN HICKMAN
YALE UNIVERSITY—_Sports Illustrated_

JIM TATUM
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA

G. A. HUGUELETT
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY

HERMAN L. HEEP
TEXAS A & M

REX ENRIGHT
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Acknowledgment

This book would not have been possible had it not been for the untiring efforts of Eugene Stallings, co-captain Texas A & M 1956, All Conference SWC End, and assistant football coach, University of Alabama. “Bebes” Stallings exemplifies the true meaning of football, both as a player and as a coach.

A Real Competitor

“Fight on, my men,” Sir Andrew says,
“A little I’me hurt, but yett not slaine;
“I’le but lye downe and bleede awhile,
“And then I’le rise and fight againe.”

“Sir Andrew Barton,” Part 2, St. 16
(PERCY’S RELIQUES, Series II, Book II)

If Sir Andrew were coaching football today, he would be accused of teaching “hard-nosed football,” for his battlecry “I’ll rise and fight again” is that of Paul “Bear” Bryant, author of this book and self-acknowledged teacher of hard-nosed or all-out football.

Paul Bryant is one of the ablest, most colorful, most controversial mentors. Fans either love Bear Bryant or despise him—which makes him excellent box office.

Competitive fires flame high in Coach Bryant. Legend has it he once played an entire game with a broken leg, believable when one considers the all-out effort he demands of himself and his players. Deep down, he is a sentimentalist who leaves a heavy imprint on his players. John David Crow, All-American back and Heisman Trophy winner under Bryant at Texas A & M, and now a National Football League star, says, “Coach Paul Bryant is the greatest coach in America. He made a man out of me.”

Paul Bryant is a builder. When he came to Texas A & M in 1954, Aggie fortunes were at a low ebb. In four years, Bryant’s Aggies won 25, lost 14, tied 2, and nine of those losses were in his first year.

As a sports writer and television commentator, this observer has watched Southwest Conference football since 1915, the first year a grid champion was crowned. The conference’s best job of coaching was Bryant’s, beginning in 1954. His outstanding player walked out of the Junction, Texas training camp, and Bryant would _not_ let him return. In their first game, the Aggies lost to Texas Tech 9 to 41. The Aggies dropped all six conference games, but only Baylor was able to achieve a two-touchdown margin. In 1956, Bryant built an unbeaten team, with “my Junction boys” the nucleus.

There was something almost mystical about Bryant’s story of why he was leaving Texas A & M for his alma mater, the University of Alabama: “As a small boy, I sometimes would play until after dark, and then, from afar off, I’d hear my beloved mother calling, ‘Paul, come home.’ I’d run as fast as my legs would carry me.”

Some cynics sneer at Paul Bryant’s explanation. But the many sportsmen who hold for him lasting respect and affection know this warm-hearted man is telling the truth.

LLOYD GREGORY
HOUSTON, TEXAS

Table of Contents

_Chapter_ _Page_

1. WHY FOOTBALL? 1

2. THE THEORY OF WINNING FOOTBALL 8

3. MAKING THE MOST OF THE COACHING STAFF 18

4. DEFENSE—OUR KIND OF FOOTBALL 24

5. PASS DEFENSE—OBJECTIVES AND TACTICS 62

6. OUR KICKING GAME TECHNIQUES 111

7. OUR OFFENSIVE RUNNING GAME 140

8. OUR OFFENSIVE PASSING GAME TECHNIQUES 176

9. TRAINING THE QUARTERBACK 186

10. PLANNING FOR A GAME 203

11. OUR DRILLS 215

12. THOSE WHO STAY WILL BE CHAMPIONS 231

INDEX 235

Building a CHAMPIONSHIP Football Team