If you know anything about Alabama football, you know who this man is. Paul "Bear" Bryant is synonymous with Alabama, as well as winning.

Tuscaloosa is home to the Paul W. "Bear" Bryant Museum, and many former players and coaches look back at Bryant as the best coach there ever was.

23 years ago today, "Bear" passed away from heart failure, only 28 days after coaching his last game at the University of Alabama.

The media, the coaching staff, the players, and fans were all in shock and many in Alabama were at a loss of words with grief. I'm sure you can ask any Alabama fan where they were when they heard the news that "Bear" had passed away and they could easily tell you without a thought.

If you aren't a Alabama fan and don't understand what all the fuss is about over a former coach who is no longer with us, let me tell you.

Bryant left a legacy that encompassed more than 37 winning seasons overall and five Associated Press national championships at Alabama. No college coach in the second half of the 20th century commanded a bigger presence. Bryant became an icon, a symbol of strength and moral righteousness as much as success.

In Bryant's 38 year coaching career his record was 323-85-17. He took 29 teams to bowl games and led 15 to conference championships. In the 1960s and 1970s, no school won more games than Alabama (193-32-5).

Curious how Bryant got his nickname? He was told when he was 13 that if he wrestled a bear at a carnival he would be paid $1. Bryant came from a poor family of 12 and needed the money so did it. His ear was bitten, and he never got paid, but the nickname has never left him.

Coach Bear Bryant was born on Sept. 11th, 1913 and died on Jan. 26th, 1983 at the age of 69.

"He wasn't just a coach," former USC coach John McKay said. "He was the coach."