This is an older book first published in 1974 by Sports Illustrated. Personally this is one of my favorite books about a high profile coach in our business. As a coach early in my career I asked my father what would be a great book to read to give me insight into the crazy football profession. His answer was this book on Bear Bryant written by the man himself.

The book not only talks about football but the path that delivered Coach Bryant from Moro Bottom, Arkansas to the sport and some amazing stories that he choose to share with us. Everyone knows the success and the value that Coach Bryant had on the game of football but the inside stories will provide entertainment value to the reader.

Chapter Eight – “The first thing a football coach needs when he is starting out is a wife who is willing to put up with a whole lot of neglect. The second thing is at least a five year contract. He needs five years so he can set up his program and surround himself with people who are winners, people who believe in what he is trying to do. And so he can weed out the hangers-on and the politicians who can’t help.”

Well said back in the early 1970’s and could not be truer in today’s football world. Bear’s book is filled with stories from early life in Arkansas, to the Bluegrass state of Kentucky and on to the Crimson Tide. Of course when Coach Mumme was at Kentucky there was always the talk of how we ran off Bear Bryant after he won the SEC championship and so did Rupp (basketball coach). How you ask? They gave Rupp a Cadillac with whitewall tires and Bear got a cigarette lighter! Straight from the book a story that had been told in Lexington was put to paper in Bear’s book.

I could go on and on and to this day this book sits on the shelf in my office. Now to find this book may take a little work. The first place to look is on Amazon where I found mine for $3.99. Good Luck and happy reading.