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 played at Alabama for Bryant from 1960-62. He was part of Bryant’s first national championship team in 1961.
Battle began his coaching career in 1963 as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma for Bud Wilkinson. He then served a two-year military tour from 1964-65, and was an assistant coach at Army for Paul Dietzel.
The former Vols’ head coach arrived at Tennessee in 1966, serving as an ends coach for Doug Dickey. Dickey left to become Florida’s head coach following the 1969 season. Battle replaced Dickey, becoming Tennessee’s head coach at 29 years old.
In 1981, Battle founded the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), serving as president and CEO until 2002. He also served Alabama’s director of athletics from 2013-17.
