Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Gene Stallings hit a very impressive milestone on Monday, turning 91 years of age more than three decades since his national title triumph.
“I’m about as well as a man who has had a heart attack & 3 strokes can be,” Stallings told Rick Karle over the weekend.
Stallings probably does not get the credit he deserves as a legendary figure in the Crimson Tide fraternity of coaches — due to Nick Saban and Bear Bryant winning at such an absurd rate — but he is absolutely one of the best to ever do it.
Beyond the famed 1992 undefeated team that brought Alabama its first title since Bryant, Stallings led Alabama to five bowl victories in his seven seasons, averaging over 10 wins a season with an 11-1 record in 1991 and a 12-1 record in 1994.
He is remembered extremely fondly in Tuscaloosa, and Crimson Tide fans around the state will be sure to wish Coach Stallings a very happy 91st birthday and continued good health.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
