Former Alabama football player Darwin Holt, who played for Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, was talking about a lot more than football Friday afternoon.
Holt made a stop in Cullman at the monthly Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce meeting as an official spokesperson for the Alabama Technology Network (ATN) — though, football did come up.
The Alabama Technology Network connects with the Alabama Community College System to offer training and services for manufacturing businesses in the state.
“We bring existing manufacturer’s employees in to make them better and more productive,” Holt said. “In this type of economy, that can help the manufacturer.”
By working with local companies, Holt said ATN has helped retain or create more than 500 jobs in Alabama.
“It behooves you to call Alabama Technology Network if your company has any manufacturing needs,” he said. “They’ve got a successful process.”
Speaking of successful processes, Holt said the recent BCS national title won by the University of Alabama football team reminds him a lot of his playing days under Coach Bryant. Holt was the defensive signal caller for Bryant’s 1961 national championship team, and played for Bryant at both Texas A&M and Alabama.
“[Current Alabama coach] Nick Saban reminds me a lot of Coach Bryant,” he said. “I truly believe he is Coach Bryant reincarnated, but God just made him two feet shorter. But, he has a process as a winner — a lot like Alabama Technology Network’s process.”
The Alabama Technology Network operates a local office at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, which can be reached at (256) 734-4796, extension 7000. More information about the program can be found at the ATN Web site (http://www.atn.org).
* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.
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Darwin Holt talks about the Alabama Technology Network (ATN) and his time playing football for Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Amanda Shavers-Davis
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