Leadership Quotes by Bear Bryant

The idea of molding men means a lot to me.

— Bear Bryant

Get the winners into the game.

— Bear Bryant

Scout yourself. Have a buddy who coaches scout you.

— Bear Bryant

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

— Bear Bryant

I'm no miracle man. I guarantee nothing but hard work.

— Bear Bryant

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

— Bear Bryant

When you play defense you have to storm the fort or play cover - you can't do both.

— Bear Bryant

I always want my players to show class, knock'em down, pat on the back, and run back to the huddle.

— Bear Bryant

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

— Bear Bryant

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

— Bear Bryant

Mama wanted me to be a preacher. I told her coachin' and preachin' were a lot alike.

— Bear Bryant

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

— Bear Bryant

Be aware of "yes" men. Generally, they are losers. Surround yourself with winners. Never forget - people win.

— Bear Bryant

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

— Bear Bryant

But it's still a coach's game. Make no mistake. You start at the top. If you don't have a good one at…

— Bear Bryant

If wanting to win is a fault, as some of my critics seem to insist, then I plead guilty. I like to…

— Bear Bryant

It's awfully important to win with humility. It's also important to lose. I hate to lose worse than anyone, but if you…

— Bear Bryant

We can't have two standards, one set for the dedicated young men who want to do something ambitious and one set for…

— Bear Bryant

I told them my system was based on the "ant plan," that I'd gotten the idea watching a colony of ants in…

— Bear Bryant

I know what it takes to win. If I can sell them on what it takes to win, then we are not…

— Bear Bryant

People who are in it for their own good are individualists. They don't share the same heartbeat that makes a team so…

— Bear Bryant

You have to learn what makes this or that Sammy run. For one it's a pat on the back, for another it's…

— Bear Bryant

The biggest mistake coaches make is taking borderline cases and trying to save them. I'm not talking about grades now, I'm talking…

— Bear Bryant

My approach to the game has been the same at all the places I've been. Vanilla. The sure way. That means, first…

— Bear Bryant

But there's one thing about quitters you have to guard against - they are contagious. If one boy goes, the chances are…

— Bear Bryant

I think the most important thing of all for any team is a winning attitude. The coaches must have it. The players…

— Bear Bryant

I honestly believe that if you are willing to out-condition the opponent, have confidence in your ability, be more aggressive than your…

— Bear Bryant

I have always tried to teach my players to be fighters. When I say that, I don't mean put up your dukes…

— Bear Bryant

If you want to coach you have three rules to follow to win. One, surround yourself with people who can't live without…

— Bear Bryant

What are you doing here? Tell me why you are here. If you are not here to win a national championship, you're…

— Bear Bryant

The old lessons (work, self-discipline, sacrifice, teamwork, fighting to achieve) aren't being taught by many people other than football coaches these days.…

— Bear Bryant

Don't talk too much. Don't pop off. Don't talk after the game until you cool off.

— Bear Bryant

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

— Bear Bryant

I tell young players who want to be coaches, who think they can put up with all the headaches and heartaches, can…

— Bear Bryant

You take those little rascals, talk to them good, pat them on the back, let them think they are good, and they…

— Bear Bryant

I'll never give up on a player regardless of his ability as long as he never gives up on himself. In time…

— Bear Bryant

If a man is a quitter, I'd rather find out in practice than in a game. I ask for all a player…

— Bear Bryant

Set goals - high goals for you and your organization. When your organization has a goal to shoot for, you create teamwork,…

— Bear Bryant

I'm no innovator. If anything I'm a stealer, or borrower. I've stolen or borrowed from more people than you can shake a…

— Bear Bryant

If there is one thing that has helped me as a coach, it's my ability to recognize winners, or good people who…

— Bear Bryant