While traveling with Coach Bryant to Texas I encountered, first hand, the dominating and influential presence of the man. We were on an official visit in preparation for the 1973 Cotton Bowl versus the Texas Longhorns. It was a big “To Do” involving the head coaches at a media function. You can just imagine the media circus involving Coach Bryant and Legendary Texas coach Darrell Royal!
On arrival in Dallas we were transported to the finest hotel in Dallas, a place Coach Bryant was extremely fond of because of the fine southern cooking offered at the hotel restaurant. I won’t quote the name of the hotel for obvious reasons. As we approached the “check in” desk I could see the receptionist tense up and try to gather his appearance. Coach Bryant, being the take charge man that he was, was first to the desk and in his deep bone-chilling voice told the clerk his name and that he wanted to check in. The clerk began to scan the reservations list and I could tell something was very wrong, as indicated by the huge sweat beads that abruptly broke out on the clerk’s forehead. He hesitantly looked up at Coach Bryant and with a broken voice told the Coach that there must have been a mistake and that there were no rooms reserved for us. Also that there were no available rooms at all! Coach Bryant never said a word. He just leaned forward slightly over the desk and stared into the man’s eyes. It was only for about 30 to 40 seconds but it seemed like an eternity, the silence was deafening. I could see the man literally shaking and he looked very pale. Coach Bryant turned and headed for the door and I followed. Just before we got to the door the clerk yelled out, “WAIT, Coach Bryant I see we have a cancellation in the President’s Sweet. I’m very sorry I didn’t see it earlier.” Well, we checked in and went to the room which was really something. It even had separate bedrooms and in those days that was rare. It was filled with all the amenities and luxuries.
After a good lunch and deserved rest, Coach Bryant and I were picked up by a limo and driven to the Cotton Bowl function. We were escorted to the Coach’s Table and served beverages and appetizers while waiting for Coach Royal and his assistant coach. Everyone seemed nervous when the Texas coach wasn’t on time. But within 15 minutes he finally walked into the room but with a very disturbed look on his face. He snarled at several officials as he approached the Coach’s Table. Now here’s the story line! Coach Royal looked down at Coach Bryant and apologized for being late. He told Coach Bryant the when he got to the hotel they told him that his Sweet had accidentally be given to some jerk and that they had been looking for decent lodging all afternoon! The hotel was the very same that Coach Bryant and I were staying! Coach Bryant looked up at Coach Royal and said, “That’s a heck of a thing Darrell”. Coach Bryant looked over at me and smiled. The Texas clerk had been so influenced by Coach Bryant’s presence that he had given him preference and privilege over a man that was a living legend in Texas. As an assistant under Coach Bryant I witnessed people being influenced like this on numerous occasions. It was neither deliberate nor premeditated…it was divinity! That’s why his teams were so successful. All he had to do was look a man in his eyes for a few seconds and tell him what he expected from him. After that the man would literally die trying to do Coach Bryant’s bidding. You would just do ANYTHING not to let him down!
Roll Tide!
