His journey to be the best started in Tuscaloosa, Ala., as he was one of the greatest players during the era of legendary Alabama football head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.
After winning three Southeastern Conference championships under Bryant (1972-74) and securing a national title in 1973, Sylvester Croom would pave the way for other African Americans in the coaching world. He sat at the feet of Bryant for 10 seasons as an assistant (1976-86) — helping the Crimson Tide win national titles in 1977 and 1978 while the school either secured or earned a share of a conference crown during the 1977-79 and 1981 seasons.