Bill Battle, former Tennessee coach and Alabama AD who founded licensing company, dies
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, has died
By AP News
Published - Nov 28, 2024, 04:56 PM ET
Last Updated - Dec 16, 2024, 05:10 PM EST
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Bill Battle III, who was athletic director at his alma mater, Alabama, where he played for Paul “Bear” Bryant's first national championship team, then later coached the Tennessee Volunteers and founded the Collegiate Licensing Company, has died. He was 82.
Alabama released a statement Thursday saying that Battle had died. No details were provided.
“It’s difficult to put into words just how much Coach Battle means to The University of Alabama and college athletics, as a whole," athletic director Greg Byrne said. “He excelled in so many areas and was a true visionary.”
Born in Birmingham, Battle was a three-year starter for the Crimson Tide between 1960 and 1962 and helped Bryant win his first national title in 1961.
