The ship of Alabama Crimson Tide athletics has a new Captain tonight. Bill Battle is the new Director of Athletics for The University of Alabama, after the passing of Mal Moore this afternoon. Moore was 73. He died Saturday at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. Moore had been hospitalized for approximately three weeks due to a pulmonary condition
The Alabama Crimson Tide Director of Athletics from 1999 to 2013, Moore was a football player under legendary Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Paul W. “Bear” Bryant from 1958-62 and went on to serve as an assistant football coach on Bryant’s staff. Moore held the distinction of being a part of ten national championship teams as a player, coach and athletics director.
During a coaching career that spanned 31 years, Moore spent 22 with the Alabama Crimson Tide with stops at Montana State, Notre Dame and the NFL’s St. Louis and Phoenix Cardinals.
“Mal was truly a special person in every sense of the word. We can talk about all the championships Mal has been involved with, but I think what will be remembered most was the man he was,” said Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban.
“He always put the best interests of others ahead of his own, he carried himself as a first-class gentleman, and he helped bring out the best in those around him.”
At least Moore got to see one more Alabama Crimson Tide national title. We all enjoyed watching the Tide destroy Notre Dame on that Monday night a couple months ago.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an author and regular contributor to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, Walter Football.com and Yardbarker. Banks has appeared on Comcast SportsNet and the History Channel, as well as Clear Channel, ESPN and CBS radio all over the world. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@PaulMBanks)