Bill Battle to be new AD

FitToBeTide

All-American
Aug 19, 2001
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St. Florian
Cecil Hurt shared this :
Paul Finebaum ‏@finebaum 2h
I've known Bill Battle since I was a student at UT and he is one of the smartest, classiest and most capable men on Earth.
Retweeted by Cecil Hurt
Didn't need his approval on Coach Battle, but there it is....
 

Capstone46

1st Team
Jun 5, 2000
897
1
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No one understands the AD job at the University as well as, -and what it requires-, than Coach Moore. No one loves the University more than Coach Moore. Without a doubt CMM knows Bill Battle and his qualifications better than anyone within the University. As Deliveryman pointed out that should be enough for all of us.
I don't think Dave Hart would have been a good fit for the job. There weren't a lot of tears shed by all the coaches when he moved to ut. Incidentally, the only reason Bill Battle was forced out at ut as football coach was the fact he couldn't beat Alabama and auburn.
In my opinion, Bill Battle was the best choice for the job and will do an incredible job in not only maintaining the momentum, but will take the Alabama brand to new heights. He didn't come for the money. He came because he knows what he can do for the University Athletic Department.
 

DocCrimson

All-SEC
Jan 3, 2010
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East TN
I'm very sad to see Coach Mal leave, but I'm thrilled that he and the rest of the University have arrived at a great solution to an unfortunate situation. Only time will tell, but it seems that CBB was a phenomenal choice for our current situation.
 

JD95

All-American
Oct 18, 1999
2,003
16
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Birmingham, AL
Short term caretaker. Will not rock the boat with Saban. Look for a new long term. AD to be named when Saban retires.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

RTR91

Super Moderator
Nov 23, 2007
39,407
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Prattville
Re: Welcom Coach Battle

May be he will be keeping the seat warm until CNS hangs up his whistle.
So, Coach Saban serves as football coach while he's AD-in-waiting, and Kirby serves as defensive coordinator while he's head coach-in-waiting.

Now only if we can figure out what Sarah Patterson's waiting to become...:D
 

Al A Bama

Hall of Fame
Jun 24, 2011
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Well, from the pictures at Al.com, he sure looks like he has aged very well. I wish I had that much grey hair. He could dye it and look like an early 50's kind of guy, maybe even 40's.

Sounds like a good hire for the next few years. Some people can be effective into their 80's. Some in their 70's are senile. Some in their 50's and 60's are senile. If Mal Moore recommended him, then he knows what attributes he has that will be compatible with what Bama needs. I just never thought about Bill Battle as a choice. I think he was a successful coach at Tennessee and they probably should have never let him go when they did. He had a pretty good record except against Bama. At the time, I was shocked that he did not get another Big Time job as a college football coach. I guess he had other plans and he sure seems to have been extremely successful in his business ventures. After all, he was not just a community organizer or some other non-productive job. He was an extremely successful business man and I would venture to guess that he has been a Big Time DONOR to the U of A. He seems to be a class act in the mold of Mal Moore with effective business skills. Running one kind of successful business can translate into running another successful business. I'm sure he has been an effective alumni supporter for Mal Moore and the U of A in the past. I can't wait for the press conference!

If my memory is correct, I think I remember seeing him catching a TD pass against Memphis State in I think 1959. One article on Al.com said that he played defensive end. I sure remember him playing on the offensive end side of the ball as well. I'm also sure that Coach Saban is aware of his contributions to his alma mater!
 

Go Bama

Hall of Fame
Dec 6, 2009
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I don't remember BB as a good coach at UT. It's been a long time, but if memory serves he did pretty good his first few years then the wheels fell off the wagon. Wasn't there a fake punt on fourth down inside the 30 that was the last straw?

I don't think UT fans have fond memories.

All that said, I think Coach Battle is a stellar choice. Welcome.
 

Al A Bama

Hall of Fame
Jun 24, 2011
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I don't remember BB as a good coach at UT. It's been a long time, but if memory serves he did pretty good his first few years then the wheels fell off the wagon. Wasn't there a fake punt on fourth down inside the 30 that was the last straw?

I don't think UT fans have fond memories.

All that said, I think Coach Battle is a stellar choice. Welcome.
Look at his overall record. I'll bet Tennessee wishes their record had been that good in the past 10 years!
 

CHATTBRIT

Hall of Fame
Dec 3, 2003
5,802
527
237
Falling Water, TN
Re: Welcom Coach Battle

If BB is in good health, then he should be good for at least 6-7 years. It's not like he has to go through a down period in football, women's softball, gymnastics or golf. I am sure he will do an excellent job as far as courting alumni and other donors to contribute to the university. Much of the infrastructure is in place.
 

MOAN

All-American
Aug 30, 2010
2,427
236
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Swearengin, Alabama, United States
Re: Welcom Coach Battle

My dad would be happy with this hire if he were alive today. He loved Bill and even pulled for Tennessee, except against Bama, when Bill was the coach at UT. When they fired Bill it made him mad and he never pulled for Tennessee again in anything! I sure hate to see coach Moore retire though but this makes it easier to accept! ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!
 

jabcmb

All-American
Feb 1, 2006
2,804
355
107
Birmingham, AL
Re: Welcom Coach Battle

Actually, I think this pick tells us something positive about Dr. Bonner. Not that we needed her to prove anything, but we HAVE had presidents who felt their own independent personnel choices were more important than the university's legacy.
 

TitleWave

All-American
Dec 3, 2012
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I think he is a great choice from a business aspect especially. ...
Coach Battle is a great choice from a character aspect especially. Haven't seen him in 30-odd years but he was a walking, talking role model for me in every endeavor he's ever undertaken. Even rabbit hunting in Selma. He always commanded respect and returned it in kind. Hiring him comes as the biggest 'Bama surprise since Bebes Stallings - and rest assured he carries the same integrity to the job, no matter how long he holds it, until Ozzie Newsome "comes home to Mama." Oh, will the circle be unbroken...
 

TommyMac

Hall of Fame
Apr 24, 2001
14,039
33
0
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Mobile, Alabama
Great hire, ex-player, ex-coach, knows the Bama culture and tradition, outstanding businessman and of very high character.

I don't see how we could have done any better.
 

MOAN

All-American
Aug 30, 2010
2,427
236
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Swearengin, Alabama, United States
Re: Welcom Coach Battle

I can't go inot details, but h'e only interim AD. Sights are set much, much higher.
And from his comments I read it kind of reads as if this is the only reason he took the position, knowing he was not being looked at for any long term deal. At 71 years of age how could anyone see it as anything long term? ;) He looks to be in good health though so he could easily last as long as coach Moore was going to stay. We can all guess that Ozzie would be the higher goal, but he has been thought of as that even before coach Moore's retirement. Makes perfect sense to bring him in as an interim if that deal is in the future plans and I think we can all agree if he is indeed an interim we are very lucky to have him in that capacity. :)