Bill Battle, a former football coach at Tennessee, has died. The University of Alabama, where he played football and later would serve as athletic director, made the announcement Thursday. He was 82. Battle was the coach of the Vols from 1970-76, going 59-22-2 with five bowl appearances in seven seasons.

Bill Battle III, who was athletic director at his alma mater, Alabama, where he played for Paul “Bear” Bryant’s first national championship team, coached the Tennessee Volunteers and also founded the Collegiate Licensing Company,

Former Tennessee football head coach Bill Battle, who led the Volunteers to five bowl games and three top-10 poll finishes from 1970-76, passed away at the age of 82 on Thanksgiving morning. William “Bill” Raines Battle III compiled a 55-22-2 record in seven seasons with four bowl victories.

Bill Battle, who was a former Alabama football player and athletic director died Thursday at the age of 82. Battle attended Alabama on a football scholarship and was a three-year starter under Paul “Bear” Bryant from 1960-62.

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."