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Who would you pick, Bear Bryant or Chip Kelly?

Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:19 pm
Posted by Revelator
Member since Nov 2008
62000 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:19 pm
Reading an O.P. On the Tiger Rant got me thinking. Would a coach like Bear Bryant be able to compete with modern day coaches under present day conditions? First off, the era in which Bryant coached was a whole different animal. A team had unlimited scholarships to give meaning that a good program had a sided advantage before the game even started. Add to that the dynamics of the game itself. Most teams were almost exclusively run oriented. It also wasn't uncommon to punt the ball on third down. It didn't take a coaching genius to know if you had the bigger, faster, stronger players and most plays consisted of runs off tackle left or right, that if you stacked the line the better team would usually win.
  I'm not saying that Bryant couldn't adapt to the modern style of coaching if he had the chance to study from present day systems, I'm just saying he wasn't any more innovative in his coaching style than most of his contemporaries. I understand that motivation and recruiting are all a part of coaching and those phases can't be ignored when contemplating Bryant's coaching prowess. However, from a purely x's and o's stand point how would he fair against coaches who are much more sophisticated and have been exposed to far more complexed systems? 
  I might add that winning championships or at least acknowledging that you won them was much easier then. All it took was one media outlet or some sports association to proclaim your team champions and a banner was raised. Now, number one and two have to face off in an actual game for a Champion to be declared.
  I know this will upset some Alabama fans talking about such a sacred icon as Bryant,  but it is not meant as a flame, but rather an Op to provoke thought. Well, the part about the Championships might be a small flame?
Posted by LSUsuperfresh
Member since Oct 2010
8526 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:29 pm to
I'm a believer that the game is improving constantly over time in most areas. People work the kinks out over time, and the game evolves. I don't think Bear could have near the success today as a coach, just like I don't think old school Hall of Famers would shine in today's games
Posted by RollTideRockStar
Member since Jan 2010
4477 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:30 pm to
Bear Bryant. Not BC I'm a bammer, but when the hell did Chip Kelly get 6 NC's?
Posted by ThaTigerDon
You cant see me
Member since Jun 2009
649 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:30 pm to
Bear Bryant??? Did he use to coach Tulane back in the day? Or was it Southern Miss? OO well dont remember hes got a cool name though.
Posted by DMagic
#ChowderPosse
Member since Aug 2010
49911 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:31 pm to
Stupid thread
Posted by Tigerfan56
Member since May 2010
10526 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:32 pm to
Posted by Robot Santa
Member since Oct 2009
46016 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:34 pm to
quote:

  I might add that winning championships or at least acknowledging that you won them was much easier then. All it took was one media outlet or some sports association to proclaim your team champions and a banner was raised. Now, number one and two have to face off in an actual game for a Champion to be declared.



Every year Bear Bryant coached at Alabama the only two media outlets that were considered legitimate were the AP and UPI (Coaches Poll).
Posted by Rickety Cricket
Premium Member
Member since Aug 2007
46883 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:34 pm to
Wasn't Bear a big drunk? I don't know how that would fare in today's game.
Posted by genro
Member since Nov 2011
62186 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:35 pm to
Solid, thought-provoking post. You clearly know a lot about football, and even more about football history.
Posted by m2pro
Member since Nov 2008
29637 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:36 pm to
No one will convince me Bear wouldn't have adapted like all the other coaches and beat them at their own game.

Remember guys, he wasn't always an old man... I think people just want to believe he wasn't so epic. He was absolutely one of the best ever and would have been a fine coach in any time/era.
Posted by Revelator
Member since Nov 2008
62000 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:37 pm to
quote:

Bear Bryant. Not BC I'm a bammer, but when the hell did Chip Kelly get 6 NC's?


That is the point. First I only used Kelly as an example. It could have been any modern coach that uses somewhat sophisticated coaching schemes. Do we know if Kelly would have won 6 NC's under the same situation and the same school? And do you think Bryant could win 6 NC's today in the same time span?
Posted by RollTideRockStar
Member since Jan 2010
4477 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:40 pm to
quote:


That is the point. First I only used Kelly as an example. It could have been any modern coach that uses somewhat sophisticated coaching schemes. Do we know if Kelly would have won 6 NC's under the same situation and the same school? And do you think Bryant could win 6 NC's today in the same time span?


Kelly wouldn't have had the personnel back then. Even former players will tell you that the era's of yesterday are like running a marathon, where as today it's a 100 yard dash.

Still sticking with Bear. Kelly couldn't have won in yesteryear. Wouldn't have had the players to pull it off. Bear might not be able to win 6 NC's in todays game, but with the players only getting stronger and faster with every generation, I'll give him more of the benefit of the doubt.
Posted by Revelator
Member since Nov 2008
62000 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:40 pm to
quote:

I don't think Bear could have near the success today as a coach, just like I don't think old school Hall of Famers would shine in today's games


This is what I believe as well.
Posted by heartbreakTiger
grinding for my grinders
Member since Jan 2008
138974 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:41 pm to
ill take chip, he doesn't cheat like the bear did and the parity of todays game vs back then is insane. So its alot tougher job. Oh and chip doesn't molest kids like the bear did.
Posted by genro
Member since Nov 2011
62186 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:43 pm to
quote:

And do you think Bryant could win 6 NC's today in the same time span?

No, because he would be 123 years old when he retired.

Just as to some of your points: Bear was an innovator and wasn't afraid to completely revamp the offense every now and then. He popularized the wishbone, but also allowed Scott Hunter to throw over 300 yards in a duel with Archie Manning. And we may not have had the BCS, but we did have #1 v. #2 bowl matchups that Bear coached in, and won.

Just read a little more on the Bear before you make your comparisons and you say "all he did was have bigger players and run the ball and it was easier back then."
Posted by FleshEatingSalsa
Floating down the Anduin
Member since Dec 2009
12319 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:43 pm to
quote:

quote:
I don't think Bear could have near the success today as a coach, just like I don't think old school Hall of Famers would shine in today's games


This is what I believe as well.




Which is the whole point of this thread.
Posted by RollTideRockStar
Member since Jan 2010
4477 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:44 pm to
quote:

ill take chip, he doesn't cheat like the bear did


Willie Lyles? Ring a bell. Oregon has been under investigation 3 times.
Posted by arlo
Member since Oct 2007
12376 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:45 pm to
quote:

Would a coach like Bear Bryant be able to compete with modern day coaches under present day conditions?


To be honest, I don't think so. For that matter, I think George Patton would have a hard time in today's army.

The expectations and desires of young people are different these days. In the sixties, a few parents told their sons to not come home if they didn't make the team. Wouldn't happen today.
Posted by heartbreakTiger
grinding for my grinders
Member since Jan 2008
138974 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:45 pm to
not the same and not a big deal
Posted by Lieutenant Dan
Euthanasia, USA
Member since Jan 2009
8374 posts
Posted on 12/2/11 at 2:46 pm to
quote:

Oh and chip doesn't molest kids like the bear did.





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