
Legacies: Many before us have left a legacy with their good works. It comes in all walks of life including sports.
Here at Tallassee, Coach John Edward O'Brien's legacy has been cemented. From the 57-game unbeaten streak to the stadium that bears his name.
There's Ronnie Baynes five state titles at THS in baseball, plus the two that followed with John Goodman. That's seven championships in a 12-year span (1986-'98).
Some legacies are still in the making from the local scene to the bigger stage. Nick Saban is doing it at Alabama.
Saban is more than a handful of coaches removed from the "Bear" who left the game of college football as its winningest coach. Last week marked the 40th anniversary of Coach Paul Bryant's passing.
Coach Gene Stallings talked about that legacy while he was the head coach at Bama. He noted that just about everything on the campus is named for Bryant from the Bryant Museum on Bryant Drive to Bryant-Denny Stadium.
I can remember Jan. 26, 1983 when I heard the news that Bryant had died. I was on a school bus.
These moments stand out. I was in a Ford Pinto when the news Elvis's death came via CB radio.
Bryant retired from coaching on Dec. 29, 1982 - less than one month before his death. He was 69.
Nick Saban is now 71 and still going. The comparisons to the two coaching greats continue to this day.
Bryant had just one losing season in all his years as a head coach. He was at the helm for 38 years spending 25 seasons in Tuscaloosa where he won six national titles.
Saban has 29 years as a head coach now, 27 in the college ranks. He has had only one losing season. It came in the NFL during his two-year stint in Miami. He has won seven national championships - six at Alabama.
Bryant won 323 games. Saban has won 280 (285 on the field - five have been vacated by the NCAA). Bryant's win percentage was 78 percent. Saban's college winning percentage is 80 percent.
At Alabama, Bryant was 232-46-9 (82.4%). Saban's record in T-Town is 189-27 subtracting the five vacated wins (87.5%).
The numbers are comparable. The best two coaches ever in the sport? I think so. Bryant's legacy will live on. Saban's surely will too. And he's not done yet.
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