"His impact at Tennessee won't be forgotten": Josh Heupel pays touching tribute to former Alabama AD Bill Battle

Former Alabama athletic director Bill Battle, one of the many greats in college football history, died at 82. He will also be remembered for his contributions to the Tennessee Volunteers.

Battle was the head coach there for seven seasons from 1970 to 1976. His record for the Vols was 59-22-2, and he boasted four bowl wins in five appearances. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel shared a heartfelt tribute to Battle on X.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Battle’s family and friends on this Thanksgiving," he tweeted on Thursday. "He was a great man and his impact at Tennessee will not be forgotten.”

Battle started his career at Alabama from 1960 to 1962. He was 28 when he got appointed by the Tennessee management, becoming the youngest head coach in college football history. His debut year saw the Vols go 11-1, capped off with a Sugar Bowl win.

His 1971 season went 10-2 and finished with a win in the Liberty Bowl. In 1973, Battle’s team once again posted a 10-2 season, culminating in an Astro Bluebonnet Bowl victory over LSU.

The 1974 season saw Battle’s football program at Tennessee slow down. The Vols went 8-4, losing the Gator Bowl to Texas Tech. His subsequent seasons were not that dominating, being seven and six-win seasons. He was replaced by another Tennessee alum, Johnny Majors, in 1977.

Alabama Crimson Tide athletic director's message to Bill Battle

The Alabama Crimson Tide football program mourns the loss of Bill Battle III. He was a legendary figure in college athletics, a true visionary. Born in Birmingham in 1941, Battle was a three-year starter for Alabama under the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant. He was an integral member of the Crimson Tide, which secured its first national championship in 1961.

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

Battle returned to his alma mater in 2013 to serve as athletic director. During his tenure as Alabama’s AD, the team won three national titles. Nick Saban also praised Battle, calling him "first-class" and commending his integrity and innovative approach to revolutionizing the game.