Bill Battle has been a part of college football for six decades, with roots deep in SEC country and a legacy that extends well beyond the gridiron.

He recently announced he is stepping down as Alabama’s athletics director, bowing out some 57 years after his college playing career began with the Tide under a guy named Bear Bryant.

Battle’s time in college football began as a three-year starter for Bryant from 1960-62. The Birmingham, Ala., native was a member of Bryant’s first national championship team in 1961. He was also an Academic All-SEC selection as a senior in 1962 and was named first-team tight end and second-team defensive end on The University of Alabama All-Decade Team of the 1960s.

Immediately after his playing career ended, Battle began working on and finishing his master’s degree at Oklahoma while beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant in 1963 under the legendary Bud Wilkinson.

Following his time at Oklahoma, Battle acted quickly to move up the coaching ladder, taking on an assistant role at the United States Military Academy while serving a two-year tour.

The following year, 1966, Battle came back to the SEC as an assistant coach under Doug Dickey for four seasons (1966-69) at Tennessee. Dickey left Tennessee for Florida before the 1970 season and Battle was promoted, becoming the youngest head coach in college football at the age of 28.

In Battle’s first season at Tennessee, he guided the Vols to an 11-1 record, only losing to Auburn, and recorded his lone win over Alabama. The Vols also won the Sugar Bowl that season.

The tenure on Rocky Top lasted seven seasons, Battle’s only time as a head coach. He posted a 59-22-2 record from 1970-76, finishing three seasons ranked in the nation’s top 10 among five top-20 finishes, and won four of five bowl games. Battle’s teams won at least 10 games in each of his first three seasons.

Johnny Majors was brought home to Tennessee after winning the 1976 national championship at Pittsburgh, Just like that, Battle’s coaching career was over.

He shifted gears, moving to the private sector, and eventually founded The Collegiate Licensing Company in 1981 and served as president and CEO until 2002. CLC became the largest and oldest collegiate licensing company in the United States under Battle’s watch, and provides services to more than 200 colleges and universities, conferences, bowl games, the NCAA, and the Heisman Trophy. CLC products are well recognized by a hologram tag providing authenticity.

Battle also served as chairman of the board of Licensing Partners International upon it’s creation in 2001.

The call for a return to his alma mater came in March 2013 when the late Mal Moore stepped down as Alabama’s athletics director because of health issues. Battle filled in as athletics director for nearly four years in a time where football won three SEC championships and the 2015 national championship. Battle also brought in Avery Johnson in a popular move to take the reins of Alabama men’s basketball.

Battle leaves behind a well-rounded career in collegiate athletics, but the 75-year-old knows it’s time to walk away.