The school is named after former Alabama Crimson Tide football head coach Paul William "Bear" Bryant.

By September 2001, the board would award construction contracts totaling $100 million to implement the Five-Year Facilities Plan.

[3] Costing $31.5 million to complete, the school would celebrate its ribbon-cutting on August 24, 2003, with U.S. Representative Artur Davis delivering the keynote address.

[9] Paul W. Bryant has a program offered to junior and seniors called Co-Op that provides students with the technical and hands on experience of the work force while in school.

[5] Paul W. Bryant High School currently fields a varsity team in nine men's and eight women's sports.