A Season for Elephants

As applied in Alabama for nearly a quarter-century, the separation-of-powers doctrine requires that the secular leader, called Governor, walk wide of the prerogatives of the spiritual leader, called Coach. A tradeoff is implicit: so long as the legendary George Wallace doesn’t meddle in the operation of the University of Alabama’s football team, the legendary “Bear” Bryant won’t run for Governor.

The debit, of course, lies on the secular side of the ledger. In the 24 years since both legends appeared on the state scene—Wallace as an enduring candidate for governor, Bryant as a molder of young character at Tuscaloosa—the Alabama commonwealth has fared poorly in its competition with sister states of the Sunbelt, while the Alabama Crimson Tide—a/k/a the Red Elephants— has won six national championships, played in 23 consecutive post-season bowls, and earned its coach the distinction, formerly held by Amos Alonzo Stagg, of being the most prodigious winner in college football history.

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Victor Gold

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As applied in Alabama for nearly a quarter-century, the separation-of-powers doctrine requires that the secular leader, called Governor, walk wide of the prerogatives of the spiritual leader, called Coach. A tradeoff is implicit: so long as the legendary George Wallace doesn’t meddle in the operation of the University of Alabama’s football team, the legendary “Bear” Bryant won’t run for Governor.

The debit, of course, lies on the secular side of the ledger. In the 24 years since both legends appeared on the state scene—Wallace as an enduring candidate for governor, Bryant as a molder of young character at Tuscaloosa—the Alabama commonwealth has fared poorly in its competition with sister states of the Sunbelt, while the Alabama Crimson Tide—a/k/a the Red Elephants— has won six national championships, played in 23 consecutive post-season bowls, and earned its coach the distinction, formerly held by Amos Alonzo Stagg, of being the most prodigious winner in college football history.