Crimson Chronicles Podcast

Before the championships, the houndstooth hat, and the statue, Paul “Bear” Bryant was one of three young Alabama coaches whose friendship was forged through football, war, sacrifice, and extraordinary loyalty.

Author Kerry Keefe joins Rick Morton and Tommy Ford to tell the remarkable story of her grandfather, longtime Alabama assistant Carney Laslie; legendary coach and athletics administrator Frank Moseley; and the man her family knew simply as “Uncle Paul.”

As young men at Alabama, Laslie, Moseley, and Bryant vowed that whoever received the first head-coaching opportunity would bring the other two with him. Their shared ambition was to become the winningest team of coaches in college football—but the attack on Pearl Harbor interrupted that dream.

Keefe explains how the three men became part of the Navy’s revolutionary V-5 Pre-Flight Training Program, which used football and other sports to prepare thousands of young aviators for the physical and psychological demands of World War II. The training was intentionally brutal: teenagers competed against professional athletes, unnecessary roughness did not exist, and ambulances waited beside the practice fields.

The episode also uncovers Bryant’s relentless determination to join the effort. After hearing Navy Captain Tom Hamilton challenge America’s football coaches to serve, Bryant arrived at Hamilton’s office at 5:30 in the morning. When told to submit an application and wait, he returned two weeks later—after quitting his coaching job, telling everyone he had joined the Navy, and sleeping in his car. Hamilton eventually brought Bryant into the program and enlisted his help identifying the best coaches throughout the South.

Beyond the wartime history, Keefe offers an intimate portrait of the man behind the Bear Bryant legend. She remembers the uncle who quietly arrived at her family’s home with new game-day outfits while her father was serving in Vietnam, the nervous coach who paced and smoked before important games, and the tenderhearted friend who later described Carney Laslie as “the sweetest man I ever knew.”

She also explains how Laslie and Moseley gave Bryant trusted friends who could challenge him, tell him the truth, and keep him grounded as his fame grew. When Bryant became college football’s winningest coach in 1981, the two men he publicly thanked by name were Carney Laslie and Frank Moseley.

This is the story behind A Tide of Dreams—and a powerful reminder that Alabama’s greatest dynasty was built not by one man alone, but through friendship, teamwork, duty, and loyalty that lasted a lifetime.

Proceeds from direct sales of A Tide of Dreams support Big Oak Ranch.

Crimson Chronicles is the internet’s only show dedicated to Crimson Tide sports history.

Learn more at tidehistory.com.

Become a Crimson Chronicles Founding Member for $4.99 a month and receive early access to new interviews, complete unedited conversations, members-only updates from Rick and Tommy, recognition in the credits, and the opportunity to suggest future guests:

tidehistory.com/founding-member

Crimson Chronicles is presented by the University of Alabama National Alumni Association. Anyone can join at alumni.ua.edu.

Follow Crimson Chronicles on Spotify so you never miss an episode.

“I don’t talk to quitters.”

That was Bear Bryant’s response when Bob Baumhower walked into his office after leaving the Alabama football team—and the conversation that followed changed the course of Baumhower’s life.

In this episode, the Alabama All-American and Miami Dolphins legend tells Rick Morton and Tommy Ford how an overlooked prospect nearly signed with Vanderbilt before a last-minute telephone call brought him back to Tuscaloosa. He recalls being met at the airport by Alabama’s coaches, sitting across from Coach Bryant, and receiving the unexpected opportunity that began a remarkable journey.

Baumhower shares the humbling story of quitting the team, the question Bryant asked that he could not answer, and how he returned determined to become the best he could be for his teammates. He also remembers Bryant struggling to pronounce his name on television—and how that embarrassment motivated him to make sure his coach would never forget it.

That determination helped Baumhower become a three-year starter and two-time All-American during a four-year stretch in which Alabama went 42–6, won three SEC championships, and claimed the 1973 national championship.

The conversation continues through Baumhower’s outstanding career with the Miami Dolphins, where he became a leader of the famed “Killer B’s” defense, earned five Pro Bowl selections, played in two Super Bowls, and spent nine seasons as a starter. He also shares stories about lining up against his close friend Richard Todd and becoming restaurant partners with Todd and Joe Namath.

After football, Baumhower faced an entirely different challenge: building a restaurant company from the ground up. He explains how the lessons Bear Bryant taught him about preparation, empathy, attention to detail, accountability, and creating buy-in became the foundation of Aloha Hospitality and Baumhower’s Victory Grille.

It is an unforgettable conversation about humility, perseverance, leadership, friendship, and what it truly means to wear the Crimson jersey.

Crimson Chronicles is the internet’s only show dedicated to Crimson Tide sports history.

Learn more at tidehistory.com.

Become a Crimson Chronicles Founding Member for $4.99 a month and receive early access to new interviews, complete unedited conversations, members-only updates from Rick and Tommy, recognition in the credits, and the opportunity to suggest future guests:

tidehistory.com/founding-member

Crimson Chronicles is presented by the University of Alabama National Alumni Association. Anyone can join at alumni.ua.edu.

Follow Crimson Chronicles on Spotify so you never miss an episode.

Former Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle joins Rick Morton and Tommy Ford for a deeply personal conversation about football, faith, adversity, and finding a purpose greater than the game.

Brodie recounts growing up at Big Oak Ranch with nearly 100 brothers and sisters and explains how that extraordinary childhood taught him to lead the 10 different personalities inside a football huddle. He also reveals why Bobby Bowden’s recruiting advice ultimately led him to choose Alabama over Florida State.

Croyle looks back on one of the most turbulent periods in Crimson Tide history—being recruited by Mike DuBose, signing with Dennis Franchione, practicing under Mike Price, and finishing his career with Mike Shula. He discusses playing through painful injuries, carrying the expectations placed on a five-star quarterback, and how Alabama’s players became the program’s constant when everything around them kept changing.

Brodie also revisits the unforgettable 2005 season, the devastating injury to Tyrone Prothro, the overtime loss to LSU, the difficult Iron Bowl, and the Cotton Bowl victory over Texas Tech that allowed a resilient group of seniors to finish on its own terms.

But the most important part of Brodie’s story began when football ended. He shares how his wife Kelli’s quiet faith helped him recognize that football had become his identity—and how God ultimately called him away from the NFL and business world to return home and serve the children of Big Oak Ranch.

Today, Big Oak Ranch has provided a Christian home to nearly 3,000 children and continues to serve more than 200 children each day.

This is more than an Alabama football interview. It is a powerful conversation about courage, friendship, marriage, calling, and learning to measure success in God’s economy rather than the world’s.

Crimson Chronicles is the internet’s only show dedicated to Crimson Tide sports history.

Learn more at tidehistory.com.

Become a Crimson Chronicles Founding Member for $4.99 a month and receive early access to new interviews, complete unedited conversations, members-only updates from Rick and Tommy, recognition in the credits, and the opportunity to suggest future guests:

tidehistory.com/founding-member

Crimson Chronicles is presented by the University of Alabama National Alumni Association. Anyone can join at alumni.ua.edu.

Follow Crimson Chronicles on Spotify so you never miss an episode.

What does it take to build one of the greatest defenses in Alabama football history?In this episode of Crimson Chronicles, Rick Morton and Tommy Ford sit down with Alabama legend George Teague—a cornerstone of the 1992 National Championship team—to break down the culture shift under Coach Gene Stallings, the brotherhood that defined that defense, and the iconic play that still lives in college football lore.From the disciplined (and sometimes rigid) days under Bill Curry to the family-first, championship culture of Gene Stallings, Teague gives an inside look at what transformed Alabama into a powerhouse again.And yes… we go deep on “The Strip”—the unforgettable moment against Miami that still defines Alabama toughness.🏈 In This Episode:The culture shift from Bill Curry to Gene StallingsHow the 1992 defense became one of the best everThe role of discipline, brotherhood, and leadershipBehind-the-scenes stories from the locker room and dorm lifeThe mindset that led to Alabama’s perfect 1992 seasonThe full story behind The Strip against MiamiLessons from Alabama that carried into the NFL and beyond🐘 Join the Crimson Chronicles Community:If you love the history, tradition, and untold stories of Alabama football, you’re in the right place.👉 Subscribe on YouTube👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify👉 Visit us at BamaHistory.com for articles, archives, and more🏟️ Presented By:Tidal Towel – The Unofficial Rally Towel of the Crimson TideBring the energy of Bryant-Denny Stadium home with you.👉 Visit: https://whitwilsports.com👉 Use code TWO for a discount on your order!University of Alabama National Alumni AssociationDid you know that anyone can join? Stay connected to the Capstone and enjoy exclusive benefits.👉 Learn more: https://alumni.ua.edu/🔥 About Crimson Chronicles:Hosted by Rick Morton and Tommy Ford, Crimson Chronicles is the internet’s only show dedicated to Alabama Crimson Tide sports history—featuring legendary players, coaches, and the stories behind the moments that built the Tide.📢 Let’s Hear From You:What’s your favorite Alabama defensive moment of all time?Did The Strip define Alabama football for you?Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇 and tell us who you want to hear from next!00:00 – Cold Open: Introducing George Teague00:38 – Welcome to Crimson Chronicles + Subscribe & BamaHistory.com01:04 – Tommy’s Introduction: Teague’s Alabama Career & Legacy02:00 – Early Days at Alabama: Culture Under Bill Curry03:46 – “Militant” Discipline & Adjusting to College Football05:00 – Speed of the Game: First Real Wake-Up Call07:00 – Tidal Towel Promo Break08:00 – Coaching Transition: Bill Curry → Gene Stallings08:48 – Building Brotherhood: The “Family” Culture Shift10:22 – When It Started to Click (Turning Point Moments)12:00 – Did Stallings See It Coming? Leadership Development14:00 – Defining Moments: Florida Loss & Blockbuster Bowl15:00 – Practice Intensity & Competitive Culture (Wrestling Stories 😂)17:20 – Dabo Swinney Stories & Practice Battles18:30 – Early Mentors & Alabama Brotherhood Legacy20:00 – Building the 1992 Championship Culture21:00 – Core Identity: Fast, Physical, and Classy22:25 – Subscribe + Community Call to Action23:00 – Inside the 1992 Defense: Why It Worked25:00 – Defensive Mindset: “Don’t Let Your Teammate Down”26:00 – Team Personalities & Locker Room Stories28:30 – Scout Team Impact (Irving Spikes Story)29:00 – Realizing They Could Be Special

James Spann — Alabama's most trusted meteorologist, Tuscaloosa native, and unashamed Crimson Tide superfan — sits down with Rick Morton and Tommy Ford for one of the most unforgettable conversations in Crimson Chronicles history. From selling programs outside Denny Stadium as a fifth-grader just to get inside the game, to monitoring tornado warnings during the Iron Bowl, James takes us through a life lived at the intersection of Alabama football and Alabama weather. He shares how working for broadcasting legend Bert Bank shaped his character, what it was like to brief Nick Saban on game-day forecasts, and why the 2011 championship meant more to him than any other. If you love the Crimson Tide and the people who love it, this one's for you.0:00 – Introduction: Football, forecasting, and the most trusted voice in Alabama1:45 – Growing up in Tuscaloosa: A fifth-grader from Greenville with no money and no friends3:30 – Selling programs outside Denny Stadium to get in free5:00 – What game-day Tuscaloosa really felt like in the 1960s8:30 – Legion Field and the big games that got away10:00 – Tuscaloosa High School: Marching on Denny's field on Friday nights11:45 – Working for broadcasting legend Bert Bank at WTBC15:00 – How a transistor radio and Tiger Jack Garrett sparked a career16:30 – The "15th Street School of Broadcasting" and what Bert Bank really taught him18:00 – Sneaking into Foster Auditorium and watching Mike Nordholm score 50+19:00 – Gorilla masks, Bernard King, and the Memorial Coliseum years21:00 – One night as the Voice of the Crimson Tide23:30 – Sponsor break: Whit Will Sports & UA National Alumni Association24:00 – What makes a perfect Alabama football Saturday (hint: cobalt blue sky, October, 68°)25:30 – The most terrifying weather moment in Alabama football history: the Bo Jackson Iron Bowl tornado28:00 – Hurricane scares, Coach Kiffin, and moving games for weather30:00 – Has James ever had a forecast that made fans furious?31:00 – Lightning delays, loss of life, and why he doesn't care if you're mad32:00 – The 2008 SEC Tournament tornado in Atlanta and the call that changed everything35:00 – Cutting off football games — and cutting off General Hospital37:00 – Briefing Nick Saban: range of possibilities, coin toss decisions, and the greatest "weather dweeb" in football39:00 – Plans for a weather studio in the Saban Center in Tuscaloosa40:30 – Alabama players, eras, and teams that stand out most42:30 – The loss to Vanderbilt that felt like a funeral for the whole state43:00 – April 27, 2011: Alabama's 9/11 and why the 2011 championship was the most special48:00 – The social science of saving lives: how do you get people to take cover?50:00 – The James Spann Bobblehead and the trust people place in him51:30 – How do you carry the weight of being Alabama's weatherman?55:00 – What Nick Saban taught James Spann about excellence, mediocrity, and hard work58:00 – Nash Roberts, legacy, and what James wants to be remembered for1:01:00 – Children's ministry, school visits, and why third graders are the greatest1:02:00 – Kickoff under a perfect sky: what it means looking out over 100,000 people1:03:45 – Rapid fire: best weather, worst weather, favorite Alabama era, loudest venue, and Coke Zero1:07:00 – Roll Tide sendoff

James Spann — Alabama's most trusted meteorologist, Tuscaloosa native, and unashamed Crimson Tide superfan — sits down with Rick Morton and Tommy Ford for one of the most unforgettable conversations in Crimson Chronicles history. From selling programs outside Denny Stadium as a fifth-grader just to get inside the game, to monitoring tornado warnings during the Iron Bowl, James takes us through a life lived at the intersection of Alabama football and Alabama weather. He shares how working for broadcasting legend Bert Bank shaped his character, what it was like to brief Nick Saban on game-day forecasts, and why the 2011 championship meant more to him than any other. If you love the Crimson Tide and the people who love it, this one's for you.0:00 – Introduction: Football, forecasting, and the most trusted voice in Alabama1:45 – Growing up in Tuscaloosa: A fifth-grader from Greenville with no money and no friends3:30 – Selling programs outside Denny Stadium to get in free5:00 – What game-day Tuscaloosa really felt like in the 1960s8:30 – Legion Field and the big games that got away10:00 – Tuscaloosa High School: Marching on Denny's field on Friday nights11:45 – Working for broadcasting legend Bert Bank at WTBC15:00 – How a transistor radio and Tiger Jack Garrett sparked a career16:30 – The "15th Street School of Broadcasting" and what Bert Bank really taught him18:00 – Sneaking into Foster Auditorium and watching Mike Nordholm score 50+19:00 – Gorilla masks, Bernard King, and the Memorial Coliseum years21:00 – One night as the Voice of the Crimson Tide23:30 – Sponsor break: Whit Will Sports & UA National Alumni Association24:00 – What makes a perfect Alabama football Saturday (hint: cobalt blue sky, October, 68°)25:30 – The most terrifying weather moment in Alabama football history: the Bo Jackson Iron Bowl tornado28:00 – Hurricane scares, Coach Kiffin, and moving games for weather30:00 – Has James ever had a forecast that made fans furious?31:00 – Lightning delays, loss of life, and why he doesn't care if you're mad32:00 – The 2008 SEC Tournament tornado in Atlanta and the call that changed everything35:00 – Cutting off football games — and cutting off General Hospital37:00 – Briefing Nick Saban: range of possibilities, coin toss decisions, and the greatest "weather dweeb" in football39:00 – Plans for a weather studio in the Saban Center in Tuscaloosa40:30 – Alabama players, eras, and teams that stand out most42:30 – The loss to Vanderbilt that felt like a funeral for the whole state43:00 – April 27, 2011: Alabama's 9/11 and why the 2011 championship was the most special48:00 – The social science of saving lives: how do you get people to take cover?50:00 – The James Spann Bobblehead and the trust people place in him51:30 – How do you carry the weight of being Alabama's weatherman?55:00 – What Nick Saban taught James Spann about excellence, mediocrity, and hard work58:00 – Nash Roberts, legacy, and what James wants to be remembered for1:01:00 – Children's ministry, school visits, and why third graders are the greatest1:02:00 – Kickoff under a perfect sky: what it means looking out over 100,000 people1:03:45 – Rapid fire: best weather, worst weather, favorite Alabama era, loudest venue, and Coke Zero1:07:00 – Roll Tide sendoff

Crimson Chronicles: Kurt Jarvis on the Perkins Transition, the 1984 Struggles & the Van Tiffin Kick (Part 1)

Tommy Ford and Rick Morton interview Birmingham native Kurt Jarvis, Alabama defensive tackle/nose guard from 1983–86 who played through the Ray Perkins transition after Bear Bryant’s death. Jarvis recounts growing up around Alabama football, being noticed and recruited by Bryant as a sophomore, nearly committing to Auburn, and ultimately choosing Alabama after Perkins assured him a roster spot and revealed Cornelius Bennett was also coming. He describes campus uncertainty, Perkins removing the tower to step out of Bryant’s shadow, and the 1984 5–6 season’s locker-room animosity, while praising Perkins for not changing under fan pressure. Jarvis explains the 1985 turnaround as player-led unity emerged in the face of fan criticism, relives the 1985 Iron Bowl “Van Tiffin kick” and Auburn’s Brent Fullwood, and discusses 1986’s 7–0 start, depth issues, key losses/injuries, and the Penn State defeat, plus reflections on Bennett and tough linemen he faced.

00:00 Welcome to Crimson Chronicles

01:17 Kurt Jarvis Introduction

02:23 Growing Up Bama Crazy03:15 Getting Noticed by Bryant

07:23 Bryant Passing and Campus Mood

12:25 Ray Perkins First Impressions

14:11 Choosing Alabama Over Auburn

19:19 Living the Post Bryant Transition

21:16 Wild Ride of 1983

23:25 What Went Wrong in 1984

27:05 Rebuilding After Five and Six

30:27 Perkins Under Fire

32:00 Letting Bryant Go

33:09 Title Towel Sponsor

33:40 1985 Team Turnaround

36:37 Tiffin Kick Drama

43:31 Locker Room Aftermath

46:00 Technical Glitches Break

47:17 1986 Title Hopes Tested

49:56 Penn State Exposes Depth

52:38 Cornelius Bennett Teammate

55:19 Toughest Linemen Faced

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Crimson Chronicles: Kurt Jarvis on the Perkins Transition, the 1984 Struggles & the Van Tiffin Kick (Part 1)

Tommy Ford and Rick Morton interview Birmingham native Kurt Jarvis, Alabama defensive tackle/nose guard from 1983–86 who played through the Ray Perkins transition after Bear Bryant’s death. Jarvis recounts growing up around Alabama football, being noticed and recruited by Bryant as a sophomore, nearly committing to Auburn, and ultimately choosing Alabama after Perkins assured him a roster spot and revealed Cornelius Bennett was also coming. He describes campus uncertainty, Perkins removing the tower to step out of Bryant’s shadow, and the 1984 5–6 season’s locker-room animosity, while praising Perkins for not changing under fan pressure. Jarvis explains the 1985 turnaround as player-led unity emerged in the face of fan criticism, relives the 1985 Iron Bowl “Van Tiffin kick” and Auburn’s Brent Fullwood, and discusses 1986’s 7–0 start, depth issues, key losses/injuries, and the Penn State defeat, plus reflections on Bennett and tough linemen he faced.

00:00 Welcome to Crimson Chronicles

01:17 Kurt Jarvis Introduction

02:23 Growing Up Bama Crazy03:15 Getting Noticed by Bryant

07:23 Bryant Passing and Campus Mood

12:25 Ray Perkins First Impressions

14:11 Choosing Alabama Over Auburn

19:19 Living the Post Bryant Transition

21:16 Wild Ride of 1983

23:25 What Went Wrong in 1984

27:05 Rebuilding After Five and Six

30:27 Perkins Under Fire

32:00 Letting Bryant Go

33:09 Title Towel Sponsor

33:40 1985 Team Turnaround

36:37 Tiffin Kick Drama

43:31 Locker Room Aftermath

46:00 Technical Glitches Break

47:17 1986 Title Hopes Tested

49:56 Penn State Exposes Depth

52:38 Cornelius Bennett Teammate

55:19 Toughest Linemen Faced

Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀https://vidiq.com/crimson

Former Alabama Long Snapper Neel Neland Hibbett on Pressure, Perfection, Scholarship & Life After Football | Crimson ChroniclesOn Crimson Chronicles, former Alabama long snapper Neland Hibbett, a four-year letter winner, discusses growing up in a deep Alabama football family legacy as the grandson of 1960s All-American receiver Dennis Homan and how he earned his way from overlooked recruit to walk-on at Alabama. He explains the precision and mental demands of long snapping, the tight bond and communication required among specialists, and key moments like the 2021 Iron Bowl PAT after a holder change and a clutch late field goal at Texas. Hibbett describes Coach Saban’s practice standards, routines, and pressure, what coaches look for in choosing a snapper, and the pride of eventually receiving a scholarship. He also shares donating NIL money to the Concussion Legacy Foundation due to his grandfather’s memory issues, and he outlines his post-graduation move to Nashville to pursue music.00:00 Perfection Standard00:48 Family Legacy Roots01:58 Grandpa Fame Story02:58 Long Snapper Role04:04 Finding The Path05:42 Walk On To Bama07:22 Welcome To Alabama08:23 Alumni Association Break09:10 Specialists Brotherhood11:28 Iron Bowl Trust Test12:57 Handling Pressure14:19 Training For Perfection16:12 Saban Practice Pressure19:02 Rules And Getting Chewed21:36 Hidden Details Laces24:28 Title Towel Sponsor25:01 Specialists And The Standard25:49 Flying Under Radar27:43 Coaches Funnel Effect29:06 Beyond Football Growth29:37 Game Day Routine32:37 Memorable Kicks35:23 Blocking Out Noise38:01 Special Teams Practice40:24 Earning The Job44:55 Walk On Scholarship49:24 NIL And Concussions50:46 Pride And Lessons53:48 Advice And Tradition57:17 Music After Football59:19 Roll Tide Farewell

Former Alabama Long Snapper Neel Neland Hibbett on Pressure, Perfection, Scholarship & Life After Football | Crimson ChroniclesOn Crimson Chronicles, former Alabama long snapper Neland Hibbett, a four-year letter winner, discusses growing up in a deep Alabama football family legacy as the grandson of 1960s All-American receiver Dennis Homan and how he earned his way from overlooked recruit to walk-on at Alabama. He explains the precision and mental demands of long snapping, the tight bond and communication required among specialists, and key moments like the 2021 Iron Bowl PAT after a holder change and a clutch late field goal at Texas. Hibbett describes Coach Saban’s practice standards, routines, and pressure, what coaches look for in choosing a snapper, and the pride of eventually receiving a scholarship. He also shares donating NIL money to the Concussion Legacy Foundation due to his grandfather’s memory issues, and he outlines his post-graduation move to Nashville to pursue music.00:00 Perfection Standard00:48 Family Legacy Roots01:58 Grandpa Fame Story02:58 Long Snapper Role04:04 Finding The Path05:42 Walk On To Bama07:22 Welcome To Alabama08:23 Alumni Association Break09:10 Specialists Brotherhood11:28 Iron Bowl Trust Test12:57 Handling Pressure14:19 Training For Perfection16:12 Saban Practice Pressure19:02 Rules And Getting Chewed21:36 Hidden Details Laces24:28 Title Towel Sponsor25:01 Specialists And The Standard25:49 Flying Under Radar27:43 Coaches Funnel Effect29:06 Beyond Football Growth29:37 Game Day Routine32:37 Memorable Kicks35:23 Blocking Out Noise38:01 Special Teams Practice40:24 Earning The Job44:55 Walk On Scholarship49:24 NIL And Concussions50:46 Pride And Lessons53:48 Advice And Tradition57:17 Music After Football59:19 Roll Tide Farewell