Bud and Bear

[opksooner]

There is a recently discovered interview of Bud Wilkinson that was never published before. It can be seen at OUInsider Here's a snip that I thought you'd find interesting.

The Interview - February 26, 1983 Part I:


Smith: Paul 'Bear' Bryant passed away a few weeks ago, what was your opinion of Coach Bryant and what kind of relationship did you have with him?

"He was obviously the longest successful coaches (sic) of the day and I got to know Bear very, very well. We had met casually in the Navy, and we played in the Sugar Bowl game, January 1, 1951. That was after the 1951 season and Bear was at Kentucky and I was at Oklahoma.

"From playing each other in that game, and we were relatively of the same age, we were playing better offense than they were and they were playing better defense than we were. So for about the next six or seven years - Bear and I, either the last week in July or the first week of Augusta, (Masters - early April), would go to a mutually convenient town, might be Memphis, or Dallas, or somewhere. We'd get a three room hotel suite, two bedrooms and a living room with a blackboard, and we'd talk football for four or five days. We did that for six years, so obviously, we both thought we were getting some value from it - and it was fun too. We had a lot of good social times."

 

[TIDE-HSV]

And I'll bet there were a few bottles consumed...

 

[opksooner]

And I'll bet there were a few bottles consumed...

....to lubricate the minds, of course. :rolleye2:

 

[bat123]

And I'll bet there were a few bottles consumed...

Just to get the ole' synapses firing :biggrin2: :biggrin2: :biggrin2: :biggrin2:
I always had a lot of respect for Coah Wilkinson also.

 

[AlabamaSooner]

Those two are largely responsible for the great traditions that exist at both programs today.

 

[PattheCatinSaudi]

Let us not forget that Coach Bryant beat him both times they played.

 

[Ramah Jamah]

What a weird coincidence that two of the most succesful coaches of the 20th century would meet in the Navy.

 

[CrimsonTut]

Wilkinson on a couple of occasions brought along a fine offensive back to help demonstrate offensive schemes to Coach Bryant and his assistants (while at Kentucky I believe) by the name of Darrell Royal. Another friendship was born through this and helped Coach revitalize his career with the help of the wishbone offense.

Of course you know the rest of the story about the USC game so I'll leave it at that.