(Interview taken on Thursday, September 21, 2000)

(Bryan's web page)

Q: Bryan, you are in what, your fourth year now? Has your stint here at Bama been anything like you imagined it would be?

A: I had great expectations coming down here and working with Sarah and David. It has been everything I had imagined and more. The fans, the community support, and the Athletic Department's support have been incredible.

Q: So, have you become a "Southern Boy" for real? I mean, can you use the term "y'all" possessive - like in "where is y'all's stuff"?

A: No, I really haven't become a true "Southern Boy". I hope people don't think less of me for saying it, but I don't like grits. Besides, being the smaller of my brothers I would take a serious "whoopin" if I went back to Ohio saying "y'all" and "fixin" :-)

Q: I would imagine that the coaching staff at UA has some sort of distribution of labor. Would you try to describe you main duties?

A: I have a wide variety of duties. I am really a part of everything that we do, and I try to do extra things like the graphic work because that's something that helps the program. But, if I had to pick areas of importance; I would say recruiting and coaching. Coaching these athletes are fruits of the labor that it took to recruit them.

Q: I understand that you really eat the road up recruiting in the summer. Can you describe your summer travel schedule for us?

A: Summers are crazy! Sarah, David and me are the "Road Warriors". This summer I went coast to coast, and it is a lot of work. I started in Virginia Beach and ended up in San Francisco. A typical trip would have several destinations. A day in a trip would start off by watching a 4-6 hour practice followed by a home visit with the recruit and their family. That pretty much takes up the whole day. The next morning, or that same evening, I am off to another destination to repeat the process. Usually there is not a lot of time in between, and as you can imagine if David or me are on a 7-10 day trip with several destinations, it can be a long week. We spend a lot of time on the road, and there is a great deal of paper work to turn into the recruiting police (Marie Robbins) when we return.

Q: You were at Michigan before coming to Alabama. Of course, they were experiencing some real success when you were there. Would you care to talk about some of the similarities between the UA program and the UM program, or likely most all of the really successful major college programs?

A: The main thing these universities have in common is they have coaches with a desire to be the best and a support system to make it happen. The coaches have very different approaches to achieving the goals of Conference and National Championships, but the goals are the same. It's obvious which system I prefer

Q: I am not sure most of our fans realize just how much graphic art design you do for the program. What are some of the things you have done in that area for the gymnastics program? Do you have anything cool cooked up for this year that you can share with us?

A: Once we as a staff come up with an idea or theme I kind of run with it. I do just about everything that you see printed that relates to our program. The posters, the media guide, meet programs all come from my computer. I have also done calendars, coloring books, trading cards, and magnetic schedule cards etc. Sometimes it's not limited to our sport. I have also done work with football, baseball, track and tennis.

Q: Tell us a little about your family.

A: My wife and I are extremely happy here, and so is our son "The Worlds' Biggest two-year Old" Adam. And we are very happy to be expanding our family this MarchJ. I would talk more about my family, but there isn't enough memory on my computer.

Q: Coach, I know that the young ladies on the team come to UA with a wide variety of skills in their arsenal. Can you comment on how you take what they know, what you like to teach, what scores big in college gymnastics, and mold together say a routine on the bars? Do you define for them what they will do, or is it kind of a joint agreement or what?

A: All the girls come here with a wide variety of skills, and everyone on our staff including me, of course, likes to teach more, push to learn more, and expand what is already an outstanding arsenal of skills. I like to teach everything. If it is something new...that's great, but for some one like Andree she has already "been there and done that," so it's a matter of trying new combinations that no one has done before. We always like to get input from the girls on what they like to do, what they feel comfortable with, and how to inspire them to do more. As far as what scores big in college gymnastics...Every year it seems like what scores big is different from the previous year.

Q: I have heard that Andree might add yet another release move to here already amazing routine. Is that really true, and if so can you tell us what, when, how, etc?

A: Andree is working several new combinations and yes she is doing a release that no one has seen her perform yet, but we have not settled on one particular routine. I will say that she will not disappoint anyone who comes to the meets.

Q: We have what seems to be a real good group of freshmen coming in this year. Is there anything in particular that any of them do that you think we might want to watch for this year?

A: Our freshmen are awesome. What they have to offer in skills, and routines will collectively add a great deal to this team.

Q: Bryan, I really appreciate you taking the time to do this interview. Obviously, you have been a major contributor to the UA program since coming here. But by the way, cheese-grits with a little fried catfish really are good.

A: I'll buy that; most everything is better with cheese.