Bill Battle, who won national championships as an Alabama football player and later became UA’s athletics director, has died, UA announced Thursday. He was 82. Battle, a Birmingham native, played for Paul “Bear” Bryant,

He was an outstanding football player at Alabama, a successful collegiate head coach and visionary who revolutionized the business of college athletics."

Former Tennessee football head coach Bill Battle passed away at the age of 82, the University of Alabama announced. He served as Tennessee’s head coach from 1970-76, compiling a 59–22–2 record in seven seasons.

Bill Battle, former director of athletics for the University of Alabama and a legendary figure in college athletics, has passed away at the age of 82.