RIP Bill Battle

[YankeeVol]

 

[wmcovol]

Battle was a good man. I’ll never forget his words signing off his last “Bill Battle Show”.

“I hope I didn’t mess Tennessee up too bad”.

 

[EasternVol]

He gave Condredge the opportunity to be the first black QB in the SEC when others wouldn’t.

That should be his legacy.

An important part of his legacy.

 

[sami]

R.I.P.

The coach that handed Conredge Holloway the ball.

 

[Type Orange+]

Coach Battle and the Artful Dodger.
I can't think of one without thinking of the other.
I am grateful to him for giving Condredge a chance at QB.

R.I.P., Coach.

 

[wmcovol]

Jackie Walker was an All American LB & first Afro American captain in 1971, a year before Condredge played. Most of us knew of Walker’s sexuality even then. Today, every media outlet in the country would be all over that story.

 

[Mustng959]

Rest in Peace. I was able to watch him coach in the early 70's. Always thought he was a good man.

 

[Putbacks]

Remind me if I read this slogan on a t-shirt, bumper sticker, billboard, or what back in the 70’s after his departure: Battle back, Bill. We’ve made a Major mistake!

 

[VFLer]

Good man. RIP coach

 

[FlyFishnVol]

First UT head coach I met in person, he had a great personality and gave me great advice......find another sport to play

 

[RavinDave]

RIP. I was a student at UTK from 72 to 76. Prayers for his family.

 

[mercuryvol]

I look forward to seeing you again , Coach. RIP. He was coach my last 2 years at UT and a very fine man. Later made millions and donated millions to the Heersink School of Medicine at UAB. Pure CLASS.

 

[WillisWG]

 

[EZE]

He gave Condredge the opportunity to be the first black QB in the SEC when others wouldn’t.

That should be his legacy.

That is a great legacy IMO.

 

[Jaxon_Vol2017]

When you can't say something good...... well

Well, you are saying something and pretty loud. Classless. If you don't like someone who passes, why even post?

 

[VolDave53]

RIP. I was a student at UTK from 72 to 76. Prayers for his family.

Indeed. My first thought upon reading this thread was "Thanksgiving will never be the same for the Battle family." Every year, it will represent his passing.

 

[JohnWardForever]

I remember the Billboards with Coach Battle " Coach Battle says if you want to be big and strong. drink Milk".

 

[volfanhill]

When you can't say something good...... well

Well you stilll decided to be an a-hole. You could have just not posted

 

[JohnWardForever]

Well, you are saying something and pretty loud. Classless. If you don't like someone who passes, why even post?

Exactly. There was a ton of good in the Man; Bill Battle. Probably the best mannered Head Football Coach ever.

 

[Volfan76]

Prayers for the family.

 

[feathersax]

I couldn’t find an image of the “Battle Hat” (or was it a Battle Helmet?) from the early 1970s. But I found this on eBay.

View attachment 701418

"Battle Hats" were indeed unique. Coach Battle was an Alabama guy but he coached hard at Tennessee. He had been on Doug Dickey's staff & recruited my hometown pal Curt Watson along with other Vol greats. (I have an image of the "original" but for some reason couldn't load it; so this might be a replica).

 

[MAD]

 

[Alto1]

Thanks for the memories Coach Battle!
God Bless the Battle Family!

 

[arkyvol]

RIP... I was at UT when he was coaching.

So was I. It's hard to believe that 28 year old head coach was now 82. (It's hard to believe that about myself!). Those days, the post Woodstock generation, seem like only yesterday.

 

[SAPPER 5]

RIP, Coach.