A Letter to Incoming Freshmen from Alabama's Paul 'Bear' Bryant

It’s a different time now. Recruiting is strange, the players have changed, and the coaches are more like football-programmed robots than teachers and mentors.

That’s not to say the coaches don’t care about the kids, and saying otherwise would be painting with a broad brush. But the relationships between coach and player are not like they used to be, and the business side of college football has worked its way into all facets of the game. Like anything, however, things change, precedents are set and over time, nothing really stays the same.

And so, as the summer begins for universities around the country, a new class is readying themselves to arrive for fall workouts in a matter of months. They have gone through the recruiting process, been wooed by those promising playing time, championships or an “ideal” fit, and will soon take the next step in their football careers. 

Then things will really change. The friendly figure that has been seeking your signature for the past year or two will sound off on your every misstep (all for your own good, of course). The expectations set in as soon as you get that ol’ high school diploma. Unless you are already on campus a semester early. Again, things are weird now. 

At this point, the next four years (or perhaps three if you’re truly exceptional) belong to the head coach. This has always been the case, and while there’s been some general philosophical changes over time, the message remains the same. 

Roy Exum, who writes for The Chattanoogan, shared a letter from the great Paul "Bear" Bryant that he believes is around 40 years old. This letter was written to the incoming freshmen (this one specifically marked to Chris) who would soon be on the Alabama campus.

Oh, is it wonderful, and thank you to Ron for sharing. If you aren’t ready to run through your nearest wall after hearing this, or at least smoke a cigar and think about what running through that wall would be like, then perhaps you and I are just vastly different.

Take it away, Bear.

"

Dear Chris:

You will be expected to report for football practice August 17. We will expect you to arrive in the afternoon and our first meal will be served that evening at the dorm.

On the 18th, you will take your physical, including the mile run, get your room and locker assignments and participate in Photographer’s Day in the afternoon. Our first practice will be on the morning of the 19th.

I am expecting you to report in top physical condition, clean-cut, smiling, bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and raring to go. Also, I am expecting you to be prepared to run, hit, pitch, kick, catch, sweat, smell and enjoy it. There are no easy ways but there are ways to enjoy the journey and we must find them.

I am also expecting you to work hard, eat well, sleep well, play well, display a winning attitude at all times, be a leader and help me sell the squad on what it takes to win and enjoy the journey.

I hope you will share your problems with me whether it be at home, at the dorm, in your school work, with teammates, with coaches, with training regulations, self-discipline or even flying a kite. If you do that, I will try to help you and, if I can’t, I’ll recommend you get a job, join the Army, or join the Foreign Legion, but, in any event, to reside in another state.

Nothing’s too good for winners. I want to love you, pat you, pet you, brag on you and see you hoot, run and shout and laugh, pray, hug, kiss, and win with humility.

If we lose, I want all of us to be unhappy, no one to have any fun, and expect only what is reserved for losers but take it with dignity while planning to come back.

Please remember us to your family and make your personal plans on how you are going to reach your goal – the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

Sincerely, Paul Bryant

"

I’m trying to imagine what Bear Bryant might think of the orchestration that is National Signing Day in 2012. I wonder how he might handle some of the nation’s best talents that have been labeled and treated as such for nearly their entire high school career. I wonder how the term “bushy-tailed” might go over to a group that thought this term was used exclusively in cartoons.

My goodness, have things changed, and in so many ways. But this behind-the-scenes look at Bear's style and connection with incoming players is beyond fascinating. 

You also just picked up a line that will now be used frequently when you coach your son’s Little League team, pump up your work softball crew, or prepare yourself for an intense game of beer pong.

“Nothing’s too good for winners.”