Whatever Happened To Coach Bryant's Tower?

[Dogtown Darren]

I've heard so much about Coach Bryant's tower over the years. Like when a player heard the chain rattle during practice, you knew he was coming down to chew on someone, and everyone prayed it wasn't them. Or, it was rare and a special treat for Coach Bryant to invite someone up to the top of the tower, like Joe Namath got to do his first visit to town.

I've often wondered what ever happened to Coach Bryant's tower, but never asked. Since we are in a bit of a slow time until the bowl game, I'll throw it out there for an answer.

 

[rtrcam]

Ray Perkins took it down, and Bill Curry put it back up. It has been at the practice fields since.

 

[lowend]

Which one is it at the practice field? There are a couple that are poking up.

 

[RollTideWCS]

Which one is it at the practice field? There are a couple that are poking up.

The last time I saw the TOWER ,(Pre LSU 05),it was standing at the rear corner of the indoor practice field.Still looking as good as ever.

 

[BeenwiththeBear]

Back in the early 70's, there was an intramural field next to the practice field (between the practice field and the railroad tracks on Hackenberry).(That area is now an outdoor track.)

We would often go and practice flag football, softball, throw frisbees, whatever. You could not see the Tide practice, because of the hedges (they are still there today), but it was common to see the Bear up in his tower with his ever handy bullhorn.

Soccer was not too common in High Schools in those days, but I had a friend of German ancestry, who had played soccer and was good. The Bear happened to look over from his tower to the intramural field and saw my friend kicking. The Bear then sent an assistant coach over to ask my friend to come over to the practice field. He wanted to see "a sidewinder try and kick field goals".

Soccer style kickers were just beginning to make a statement in football. The Bear had become intrigued and I believe the next year we had a "sidewinder" as our kicker. (It wasn't my friend , of course).

 

[Vegas4Bama]

The Good Ole Days!

I remember it all very well......

Walking by the practice field and seeing Coach Bryant on "the tower" watching like a hawk at the goings-on below him.......

or,

Catching Coach Bryant having breakfast at his hang out The Waysider, where he ate breakfast every day!!

RTR!!

 

[BeenwiththeBear]

Ahhhh. The Waysider. Red-eyed gravy, ham, grits, eggs and biscuits. Good way to start a gameday on early Fall Saturday mornings.