Former UA Athletic Director Bill Battle Dies at 82

A beloved former athletics director at the University of Alabama has died at 82, the school announced on Thanksgiving morning.

Bill Battle joined the program as an end for the Crimson Tide football team in the early 1960s and played on Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant's first championship-winning team.

After graduation, Battle began coaching, including stints at the Universities of Oklahoma and Tennessee.

Battle returned to Tuscaloosa in 2013 to replace the legendary Mal Moore as UA's athletic director, a position he held for four years before the Tide hired Greg Byrne in 2017.

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"During his tenure, Alabama produced three NCAA team national championships, 10 SEC team championships in five different sports,15 NCAA individual champions, 43 Academic All-Americans, including six Academic All-Americans of the Year and 16 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship awardees," the school said in a release.

"Bill Battle's legacy at The University of Alabama is profound and enduring. His generosity and visionary leadership elevated our institution and enriched the lives of countless students and colleagues," UA President Stuart Bell said. "His dedication to excellence and steadfast devotion to UA will inspire generations to come. We are forever grateful for his friendship and his lasting impact on our community."

Nearly every dignitary in the athletic department expressed their sympathies Thursday morning.

"It's difficult to put into words just how much Coach Battle means to The University of Alabama and college athletics, as a whole," Byrne said. "He excelled in so many areas and was a true visionary. Beyond his accomplishments, he was an incredible man, and I am forever grateful for the friendship we built over the years. We will miss him tremendously and are praying for Mary, Pat, Mike, Shannon, Kayla and the entire Battle family."

Former Tide coach Nick Saban also sent best wishes to Battle's family.

"Bill Battle was first class in every way. He represented The University of Alabama with tremendous character and integrity. He was an outstanding football player at Alabama, a successful collegiate head coach and visionary who revolutionized the business of college athletics. I got to know him best when he returned to direct the Alabama athletics department where his vision and leadership were driving factors in the Crimson Tide's success that resulted in our 2015 national championship. Terry and I are saddened by his passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Mary and their entire family. He will be deeply missed."

"I am grateful for the privilege to have known and worked with Bill Battle," SEC Commisioner Greg Sankey said. "Bill was an innovative leader who had a distinguished career as a coach, businessman, and athletics director, who loved his family and was committed to the special opportunities presented through intercollegiate athletics. In the SEC, we share in the sorrow of Bill's passing but are thankful for his impact and friendship."