Tennessee football, others mourn death of coach Bill Battle

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Former Tennessee football coach Bill Battle has died at the age of 82, Tennessee football announced on social media.

Battle coached Tennessee football from 1970 through 1976, even coaching future Volunteers national championship-winning coach Phillip Fulmer.

He amassed a record of 59-22-2 with four bowl wins and three top-10 final rankings.

Battle, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, played for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 1960 to 1962. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma under legendary coach Bud Wilkinson.

Battle began his coaching career as an assistant at Army in 1964. He then joined Tennessee’s coaching staff in 1966 before taking over the helm a few years later.

He also served as athletics director at Alabama from 2013-2017.

“Bill Battle was first class in every way. He represented The University of Alabama with tremendous character and integrity,” former Alabama head football coach Nick Saban said. “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.”