Former Alabama Athletic Director Bill Battle Dead At 82

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama confirmed on Thursday that former athletic director, coach, student-athlete and businessman William “Bill” Raines Battle III has died.

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He was 82 years old.

“Bill Battle’s legacy at The University of Alabama is profound and enduring," UA President Stuart Bell said. "His generosity and visionary leadership elevated our institution and enriched the lives of countless students and colleagues. His dedication to excellence and steadfast devotion to UA will inspire generations to come. We are forever grateful for his friendship and his lasting impact on our community.”

Battle was a native of Birmingham and gridiron standout at West End High School who attended Alabama on a football scholarship, before going on to start for three years at end from 1960-62 under head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.

He was also part of Bryant’s first national championship team in 1961 and was named to UA’s All-Decade Team for the 1960s as first-team tight end and second-team defensive end.

“Coach Battle was a great player and top prospect in the South when he came to Alabama at a time when the program was down," Paul W. Bryant, Jr. said in a statement following his passing. "He started for Papa for three years including a national championship. He created the licensing industry that The University and schools nationwide still benefit from today. He was a major donor to The University. When we needed him again, he left retirement to help us as Athletic Director.”

Battle earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and minor in psychology from Alabama in 1963 and a master’s degree in education from the University of Oklahoma in 1964.

Battle embarked on his coaching career in 1963, serving as a graduate assistant coach at OU under longtime head coach Bud Wilkinson before becoming an assistant coach at the United States Military Academy while serving a two-year military tour in 1964-65.

He then made the move Knoxville in 1966 to the University of Tennessee, where he was an assistant coach for four years and was eventually named head coach of the Volunteers in 1970.

"He was a wonderful young Christian man," Coach Bryant said of Battle in 1973. "He was more mature for his age than most people. But the thing I really remember is that he wasn't going into coaching. He was interested in physical fitness so I introduced him to Bud Wilkinson, who was chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness. He asked Bud if he could come out to Oklahoma and work with him. Out there he became an assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma and before I knew it he was beating our tail."

Battle's teams went 59-22-2 during his tenure and won four out of five bowl games.

Battle went on to found the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) in 1981 and served as its president and CEO until 2002 before it was acquired by International Management Group in 2007.

The University of Alabama then hired Battle in 2013 to serve as its director of athletics — a position he held for four years, which saw Alabama win three team national championships and 10 SEC team championships in five different sports.

“It’s difficult to put into words just how much Coach Battle means to The University of Alabama and college athletics, as a whole," UA Director of Athletics Greg Byrne said. "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.”

Battle continued at UA as special assistant to The University of Alabama president following his four years as athletic director and assisted Bell in a variety of initiatives benefitting the University and the Department of Athletics.

Longtime Crimson Tide head football coach Nick Saban referred to Battle as "first class in every way" and an unrivaled university representative.

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

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