College football lost one of its most cherished figures as Bill Battle, former Tennessee head coach and Alabama athletic director, passed away on Thursday at the age of 82. Battle

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,

Former University of Tennessee Coach William “Bill” Battle III died on Thanksgiving morning at the age of 82, according to the university. From his time at Tennessee, Battle is known for leading the Vols to five bowl games and three top-10 poll finishes between 1970 and 1976.