Alabama football coaching legend Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant did not much retirement planning. When he stepped down in December 1982, he knew his health was failing. His declining health was not sudden. For at least a year, he was well aware his body was wearing out. Thoughts of retirement in 1981 were cast aside in favor of another season – or two.
Thirty-seven days after his retirement announcement, Bryant passed away from heart failure. He was 69 years old.
Next Halloween, Nick Saban will be 69. College football’s two greatest coaches are comparable in many ways. In terms of health, there is no comparison.