T_O_Bull
All-American
Let's do the fun game that Husker fans love to play with Colorado fans, shall we?:blink: Come on our board and say this? And we're gonna... agree?No matter what the outcome, every one knows that Paul "Bear" Bryant is the greatest coach in the history of College Football. Tom Osborne is a close 2nd.
Bryant was great during his era. But the foward pass was barely used in college. Let go of the numbers you stare at. Osborne won in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The greatest coach EVAH.
Thanks for your time. Buh bye.
Bryant's National Championships: 6
Osborne's National Championships: 3
"nuff said"
In all seriousness, you can't discredit Bryant on account of the era of football that he coached in. I mean, do you honestly believe that the Huskers would have continued their reign of dominance through the present if Osborne hadn't stepped down as head coach? I've got news for you pal, football isn't the same now as it was then. The rules are different, opposing coaches are smarter, and opposing players are stronger and faster.
If you took Osborne in his prime and put him in the modern era, he'd probably be a great coach, but not one of the all time greats. The same could be said for Bryant. You have to judge them on their accomplishments regardless of the decades they coached in. Both coaches were great, but Bryant was more dominant for a longer period of time.
THe NC numbers alone are what most people are voting on. One thing that stands out to me is the fact that Osborne never missed a bowl, Bryant did miss bowl games. Logic would suggest that had Osborne coached 38 years he would have 38 bowl appearances. Clearly more consistant.
As far as the NC games go, TO SHOULD have 5 in my opinion. Maybe six. Well, technically anyway. The '93 Orange bowl, Warrick Dunn did NOT break the plane on FSU's last touch down. Clear as day even when the play was live. And every time I see that famous two point conversion against Miami in 1983, I could swear the Miami defender actually slapped Irving Fryar's hands as the ball was coming in. Maybe I just need glasses though..
We won't even discuss PSU catching the ball out of bounds and running back in during the '82 season. Big Red ran the table other than that. You have to think that might have wound up a title as well.
But that's the way it goes. close calls, near misses.. happens all the time. Overall I think this is really about overall coaching, not just wins and losses. Both men are/were great human beings that turned a lot of boys...some of them very troubled individuals.... into good men. That's what it's really all about.
To me TO is unquestionably the greatest. Then again, no shame in second place to the Bear.
You meant Jeff Smith's hands didn't you?
>>>T_O_B