Former Alabama quarterback and college football coach Steve Sloan has passed away at the age of 79. He was a key player in Alabama’s national championships under legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, winning titles in 1964 and 1965. Sloan started his career as a backup to Joe Namath but eventually became the starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide.
After a brief NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons, Sloan transitioned into coaching. He started as an assistant at Alabama before moving on to offensive coordinator positions at Florida State and Georgia Tech. In 1973, Sloan became the head coach at Vanderbilt, where he led the team to a Peach Bowl appearance in 1974. He later coached at Texas Tech, Ole Miss, and Duke, with varying degrees of success at each program.
Sloan also had an extensive tenure as an athletic director, serving at Alabama, Central Florida, and UT-Chattanooga over a nearly 20-year span. His impact on college football as both a player and coach will always be remembered in the sport’s history. Steve Sloan leaves behind a lasting legacy in the world of college football.