HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Alabama A&M University President Dr. Daniel K. Wims has approved a contract extension for Director of Athletics Dr. Paul A. Bryant through 2027.
Bryant, who is just the fourth Director of Athletics in the program's 24-year NCAA Division I history, received the contract extension after directing the program to new heights over the past two years.
"I am grateful to President Wims for giving me the opportunity to continue to lead the Bulldogs as we strive towards excellence in the classroom and on the playing surfaces," Bryant said.
Over the past two years, Bryant has led the charge to have NCAA Sanctions removed after a five-year Probationary Period and oversaw the change from having nine teams on NCAA APR Restrictions to only threw within one year.
Bryant implemented the Southwestern Athletic Conference's (SWAC) first Mental Health Support Initiative within the athletics department and built a strategic partnership with Yapit. He oversaw the addition of the Dog Kennels Community at Louis Crews Stadium and video boards at all athletic venues.
Under Bryant's leadership, Alabama A&M basketball attendance rose from an average of 1,576 fans during the 2022-23 season to 2,871 in 2023-24.
Basketball and football broke single-game attendance records at Alabama A&M. The men's basketball program set a single-game mark of 6,389 against rival Alabama State, while the women's program also set the mark against Alabama State at 5,127. In addition, football set the single-game mark at Louis Crew Stadium of 26,391 during Homecoming as the program rose to 13th nationally in the FCS in attendance in 2023.
In addition of the success on the playing field, Bryant has also seen a surge in academic success where the Bulldogs had more than 215 student-athletes named to the SWAC Commissioner's Honor Roll this past year.
Also, in early June, Bryant was honored by his hometown as the City of Dayton acknowledge June 14 as Dr. Paul A. Bryant Day as he continues to be a preeminent figure in the community, while continuing to live a positive life.
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