Former Alabama administrator, student-athlete, coach and licensing pioneer Bill Battle passes away at 82

The Alabama Crimson Tide announced that Bill Battle, former student-athlete, coach, and athletic director, died on Thursday at 82. Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne, who succeeded Battle, released a statement commemorating Battle's life and career.

“It’s difficult to put into words just how much Coach Battle means to The University of Alabama and college athletics, as a whole,” Byrne said in the statement. “He excelled in so many areas and was a true visionary. Beyond his accomplishments, he was an incredible man, and I am forever grateful for the friendship we built over the years.

"We will miss him tremendously and are praying for Mary, Pat, Mike, Shannon, Kayla and the entire Battle family.”

According to the Alabama Crimson Tide's website, Bill Battle was part of coach Paul "Bear" Bryant's first national championship-winning team in 1961 and a three-year starter at tight-end during his time at the university (1960-1962).

In the 1960s, Battle was part of Bama's All-Decade team. In 1963, he graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor's degree in biology and a minor in Psychology. The following year, He graduated with a Master's in Education from the University of Oklahoma.

Bill Battle was a graduate assistant for the Oklahoma Sooners (1963) under coach Bud Wilkinson before becoming the coach of the Army Black Knights (1964-1965).

He is best known as the coach of the Tennessee Volunteers from 1970 to 1976. During his tenure, the team finished with a 59-22-2 record and won four bowl games.

Battle was also a successful licensing pioneer after founding the Collegiate Licensing Company in 1981. The company dabbled in sportswear and memorabilia, garnering licensing deals through several college programs.

"First class in every way": Nick Saban's tribute to Bill Battle

The late Bill Battle and former Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban (Credits: Getty)

Retired coach Nick Saban, who worked with Bill Battle as Alabama's athletic director between 2013 and 2017, released a statement on Thursday paying tribute to the former tight end.

“Bill Battle was first class in every way,” Saban said in the statement. “He represented The University of Alabama with tremendous character and integrity. 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.”

During Battle's tenure as athletic director, the Crimson Tide won three NCAA national championships, ten Southeastern Conference championships in five different sports and 15 individual national championships, among his achievements in his legacy at UA.