Bill Battle, who won a national championship as an Alabama football player and later became UA’s athletics director after a highly successful turn in the business world, has died, UA announced Thursday. He was 82.

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 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. Battle defeated Bear Bryant and Alabama in his first Third Saturday in October meeting as Tennessee’s head coach in 1970.

Battle, who made a lasting impact both on and off the field, played for Alabama's storied football program from 1960 to 1962 under legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Battle was part of the team that won Bryant's first national championship in 1961.

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, 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.

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