RIP Bill Battle

[n_huffhines]

He had the name of a superhero.

 

[PowerT4me]

We traded our Christmas gifts for a trip to see Tennessee beat LSU in 1972 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl. Great experience for a young boy. RIP Coach.

 

[volfaninbuckeyeland]

Godspeed, Coach.

Former UA player, AD, Tennessee Coach Bill Battle dies at 82

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Bill Battle, a member of Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant's first National Title team at Alabama, former Athletic Director at director of athletics

abc3340.com

Despite it all, his .723 win percentage puts him among the elites of Head Vols with more than four seasons, behind only The Genrul, Fulmer and Dickey.

He did an interview once, reflecting on his success with the branding company, and said that being fired by Tennessee was the best thing that ever happened to him!

I met his son at an event in Perry, Ga., years ago, and he related the same thing to me. He inherited a tremendously talented group from Dickey, and I believe the Vols only lost one game in his first season which included a shutout win over Bama. I remember his being a very classy guy even when the U-haul truck was sent to his house.

 

[207 others]

RIP

 

[guido4198]

thank you coach. you were my first intro to Vols football. sky point

Mine as well. Coach Battle was a good man. He was head coach when I attended UT and got a real sense of Volunteer Football and Big Orange spirit. WOW..!
Thanks Coach, R.I.P.

 

[FallCreekVols]

RIP Bill Battle, he will always have a special place in my heart.
This was my coach when I fell in love with Tennessee football.

Same here.

 

[G8rh8r]

Bill Battle's father, Bill Sr., was athletic director at my undergrad alma mater, Birmingham Southern College. It's a 45 min ride to Tuscaloosa from their campus or a ten minute walk to legion field. The basketball arena is/was named after him. Unfortunately, BSC succumbed to financial issues this past spring and is no longer with us. I'm glad have UT as my graduate school to still cheer for and happy to have a connection to my undergrad alma mater through the Vols and the Battle family. They were Birmingham royalty for many decades.

Just a tidbit of trivia for you all this morning