Bear Bryant Quotes

A few minutes ago, I had a hard time getting through the lobby because of all the people. After today, that won't be happening.

Back 12 years ago, when Dr. Mathews was president here, we had a plan that when I got ready to quit, we'd bring a certain guy in and he'd take over that day and I'd leave. But as time wore on, I realized that wouldn't have been good at all.

I don't hire anybody not brighter than I am. If they're not brighter than I am, I don't need them.

Losing doesn't make me want to quit. It makes me want to fight that much harder.

I told them my system was based on the "ant plan," that I'd gotten the idea watching a colony of ants in Africa during the war. A whole bunch of ants working toward a common goal.

Football games are generally won by the boys with the greatest desire.

Recognize winners. They come in all forms.

I know what it takes to win. If I can sell them on what it takes to win, then we are not going to lose too many football games.

Little things make the difference. Everyone is well prepared in the big things, but only the winners perfect the little things.

In life, you'll have your back up against the wall many times. You might as well get used to it.

Lee Roy was the best college linebacker - bar none. He would have made every tackle on every play if they had stayed in bounds.

Find your own picture, your own self in anything that goes bad. It's awfully easy to mouth off at your staff or chew out players, but if it's bad, and your the head coach, you're responsible. If we have an intercepted pass, I threw it. I'm the head coach. If we get a punt blocked, I caused it. A bad practice, a bad game, it's up to the head coach to assume his responsibility.

It's kind of hard to rally around a math class.

If a man is a quitter, I'd rather find out in practice than in a game. I ask for all a player has so I'll know later what I can expect.

The first time you quit, it's hard. The second time, it gets easier. The third time, you don't even have to think about it.

Have a plan. Follow the plan, and you'll be surprised how successful you can be. Most people don't have a plan. That's why it's easy to beat most folks.

Set goals - high goals for you and your organization. When your organization has a goal to shoot for, you create teamwork, people working for a common good.

If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride - and never quit, you'll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards.

Don't talk too much or too soon.

Don't ever give up on ability. Don't give up on a player who has it.

Don't worry about making friends; don't worry about making enemies. Worry about winning, because if you win, your enemies can't hurt you, and if you lose, your friends can't stand you.

At Alabama, our players don't win Heisman Trophies. Our teams win National Championships.

There is no sin in not liking to play; it's a mistake for a boy to be there if he doesn't want to.

Scout yourself. Have a buddy who coaches scout you.

When you make a mistake, there are only three things you should ever do about it: 1. Admit it. 2. Learn from it, and 3. Don't repeat it.

I honestly believe that if you are willing to out-condition the opponent, have confidence in your ability, be more aggressive than your opponent and have a genuine desire for team victory, you will become the national champions. If you have all the above, you will acquire confidence and poise, and you will have those intangibles that win the close ones.

Get the winners into the game.

There ought to be a special place in heaven for coaches' wives.

Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.

I didn't care if we ever quit practicing. I loved it. The only other guy I ever knew who loved it as much was Jerry Duncan. He would beg to practice even when he was hurt. I've actually seen him cry because the trainer told him he couldn't scrimmage.

I'd like for people to remember me as a winner, because I ain't never been nothin but a winner.

Winning isn't imperative, but getting tougher in the fourth quarter is.

If they don't have a winning attitude, I don't want them.

I want to make sure I don't interfere with the success of that team next year. I don't see any way I could go to practice like most of 'em do, and not hurt the team. I'd go nuts if I tried doing that.

If we'd beaten 'em, I wouldn't be going out.

Three rules for coaching: 1.) Surround yourself with people who can't live without football. 2.) Recognize winners. They come in all forms. 3.) Have a plan for everything.

Recruiting is the one thing I hate. I won't do it unless my coaches tell me I've just got to. The whole process is kind of undignified for me and the young man.

Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don't quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don't quit until you reach it. Never quit.

The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards.

Don't overwork your squad. If you're going to make a mistake, under-work them.

There's a lot of blood, sweat, and guts between dreams and success.

I ain't never had much fun. I ain't never been two inches away from a football. Here guys go fishing on the day of the game, hunting, golfing, and all I want to do is be alone, studying how not to lose.

If there is one thing that has helped me as a coach, it's my ability to recognize winners, or good people who can become winners by paying the price.

It's awfully important to win with humility. It's also important to lose. I hate to lose worse than anyone, but if you never lose you won't know how to act. If you lose with humility, then you can come back.

Sacrifice. Work. Self-discipline. I teach these things, and my boys don't forget them when they leave.