Alabama A&M extends Bryant contract through 2027

HUNTSVILLE — Just two years after taking the reins as director of athletics at Alabama A&M, Dr. Paul A. Bryant has received a contract extension through 2027.

Alabama A&M University President Dr. Daniel K. Wims approved the extension for Bryant, according to a news release Wednesday. Bryant was named director of athletics in August 2022.

Just the foJurth director of athletics in the program’s 24-year NCAA Division I history, Bryant 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 toward 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 three within one year.

Bryant implemented the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s 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.

The basketball and football programs also broke single-game attendance records.

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.

Under Bryant, the department has seen a surge in academic success with more than 215  student-athletes named to the SWAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll this past year.