NORMAL — Dr. Paul A Bryant, who has guided Alabama A&M to athletic and academic success in less than three years as director of athletics, has added another title to his resume.
Alabama A&M University President Dr. Daniel K. Wims announced today that Bryant has been named vice president, effective July 1, 2025. He will hold the two positions concurrently.
In his tenure at Alabama A&M’s athletics program, Bryant has established a culture dedicated to holistic success — prioritizing academic achievement, competitive excellence, facility enhancements, and the recruitment and retention of championship-caliber coaches and staff, the school said in a news release.
During Bryant’s tenure, Alabama A&M Athletics achieved unprecedented academic success, the release said. The departmental GPA has consistently risen, highlighted by more than 246 student-athletes earning recognition on the Southwestern Athletic Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll this past year alone.
Athletic competitiveness has reached new heights with Bryant’s strategic hiring of championship-level coaches and staff who have propelled the Bulldogs to significant improvements across all sports, according to the news release.
“The visible results include breaking single-game attendance records in both football and basketball, with football reaching a record 26,391 fans at Louis Crews Stadium during the 2023 Homecoming game,” the release said. “Men’s basketball drew a record-setting crowd of 6,569, and women’s basketball attracted 5,981 fans — both against rival Alabama State.”
Bryant’s visionary leadership has also been evident through continuous improvements in athletic facilities, the release said. Notable enhancements include the establishment of the Dog Kennels Community at Louis Crews Stadium, installation of video boards at all athletic venues, and ongoing projects aimed at providing state-of-the-art resources for student-athletes and fans.
Additionally, Bryant has prioritized the mental health and well-being of student-athletes, launching the SWAC’s first Mental Health Support Initiative within the athletics department and building strategic partnerships, including with Yapit, to support student-athlete welfare comprehensively.
Bryant was also recently honored by his hometown of Dayton, Ohio, which designated June 14 as “Dr. Paul A. Bryant Day” in acknowledgment of his outstanding contributions and positive community influence.
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