TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Bill Battle III, who was athletic director at his alma mater, Alabama, where he played for Paul “Bear” Bryant's first national championship team, then later coached the Tennessee Volunteers and founded the Collegiate Licensing Company, has died. He was 82.
Alabama released a statement Thursday saying that Battle had died. No details were provided.
“It’s difficult to put into words just how much Coach Battle means to The University of Alabama and college athletics, as a whole," athletic director Greg Byrne said. “He excelled in so many areas and was a true visionary.”
Born in Birmingham, Battle was a three-year starter for the Crimson Tide between 1960 and 1962 and helped Bryant win his first national title in 1961.
Battle started his coaching career at Oklahoma, where he earned a master's degree in education in 1964 while working under Bud Wilkinson. He was an assistant at Army during a two-year military tour in 1964-65.
He moved to Tennessee in 1966 and was an assistant coach for four years. When Doug Dickey left for the same job at Florida in 1970, the 28-year-old Battle became the youngest head coach at the time. Battle went 59-22-2 with the Volunteers, winning four of five bowl games.
In 1972, Battle named Condredge Holloway the Vols' starting quarterback, making him the first Black player to start at that position for a Southeastern Conference team. Tennessee played its first night game at Neyland Stadium that same season against Penn State.
In 1981, Battle founded the Collegiate Licensing Company and was president and CEO until 2002. The company was bought by IMG in 2007.
Battle took over as athletic director at Alabama in 2013, spending four years on the job. The Crimson Tide won three national championships during his tenure, and he later served as special assistant to the university president.
Former Alabama coach Nick Saban called Battle “first class” and said he represented the university with “tremendous character and integrity.” Saban praised Battle for revolutionizing the business of college athletics.
“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,” Saban said.
Battle is a member of several halls of fame. He also was honored by the National Football Foundation, received a lifetime achievement award from the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and was recipient of the 2005 Paul W. Bryant Alumni Athlete Award.
“Bill was an innovative leader who had a distinguished career as a coach, businessman, and athletics director, who loved his family and was committed to the special opportunities presented through intercollegiate athletics,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said.
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FILE - Athletic Director Bill Battle gives Dana Duckworth a hug as she addresses the media about her appointment as head coach of the University of Alabama gymnastics team during a news conference in the Mal M. Moore Athletic Building, July 15, 2014, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Erin Nelson/The Tuscaloosa News via AP, File)
FILE - Alabama athletic director Bill Battle gestures during a news conference in Tuscaloosa, Ala., March 22, 2013. (Robert Sutton/The Tuscaloosa News via AP, File)
FILE - Former Alabama Director of Athletics Bill Battle is seen at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Jan. 13, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
DETROIT (AP) — Jared Goff threw two touchdown passes to Sam LaPorta, Jake Bates made three field goals in the first half and the Detroit Lions held off the Chicago Bears 23-20 on Thursday to extend their winning streak to 10 games.
The Lions snapped a seven-game losing streak on Thanksgiving.
The Bears had the ball in Lions territory late in the game with a chance to drive for a game-tying field goal or go-ahead touchdown, but they blew the opportunity.
Caleb Williams threw an incomplete pass as time expired from the Detroit 41 after being sacked with about 30 seconds left, allowing time to run off the clock even though Chicago had one more timeout.
The NFC-leading Lions (11-1) have their best record after 12 games in team history and their 10-game winning streak ties a franchise record with the 1934 squad.
The Bears (4-8) have lost six straight.
Detroit led 16-0 at halftime and 23-7 after three quarters and quarterback Caleb Williams led a comeback that came up short for the second straight week. Williams helped the Bears rally from an 11-point deficit in the final 22 seconds of regulation against Minnesota before losing in overtime.
Detroit opened the game with four straight scoring drives, going ahead 16-0 on Goff's 3-yard touchdown pass to LaPorta in the second quarter and Bates' field goals.
Chicago, meanwhile, failed to pick up a first down on its first four drives and gained a total of 32 yards on those possessions.
Goff's second touchdown pass to LaPorta, a 1-yard toss, gave Detroit a 23-7 lead late in the third quarter. The score was set up by Jameson Williams' 15-yard reverse, which included him hurdling Kevin Byard to gain several extra yards.
Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick overall in the draft, was 20 of 39 for 256 yards with two touchdown passes to Keenan Allen and one to DJ Moore.
Williams seemed to make his first rookie mistake of the game in the third quarter on a run, pulling up instead of going out of bounds and took a low hit from linebacker Jack Campbell.
The former USC star shook it off and on the next snap, threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Allen. William connected with Allen for another score, throwing a 9-yarder to him.
Detroit had a chance to add to its cushion, but Bates missed a 45-yard kick after starting his NFL career 19 of 19 on field goals on a drive that was stunted by Jameson Williams' 15-yard penalty for tossing the football at a Bears player on the sideline.
Caleb Williams took advantage, throwing a 31-yard touchdown pass to Moore to pull within three points with 5:36 remaining.
Bears: RB Roschon Johnson left the game with a concussion. ... Bears G Ryan Bates (concussion) and DB Elijah Hicks (ankle) were inactive.
Lions: DE Josh Paschal (knee), DL Levi Onwuzurike (hamstring) and DL Mekhi Wingo (knee) where hurt during the game, potentially more blows to a position hit hard by injuries, including Aidan Hutchinson's broken leg. ... Lions PR/WR Kalif Raymond (foot) was put on injured reserve Wednesday and was replaced by Maurice Alexander, who was signed from the practice squad. ... CB Carlton Davis (knee/thumb) and OT Taylor Decker (knee) were inactive.
Bears: Play at San Francisco on Dec. 8.
Lions: Host Green Bay next Thursday night.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell (58) sheds the tackle of Chicago Bears linebacker Jack Sanborn (57) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
CORRECTS BYLINE Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus watches against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) looks for running room as Chicago Bears defensive end DeMarcus Walker (95) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Detroit Lions place-kicker Jake Bates (39) kicks a 36-yard field goal against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) wears a John Madden patch on his jersey for an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
CORRECTS BYLINE Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) runs after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
CORRECTS BYLINE Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) runs for yardage after a catch against the Detroit Lions during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tim Patrick (17) escapes the tackle of Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens (36) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
