Steve Sloan, longtime coach and Alabama QB, dies at 79

Field Level Media|published: Mon 15th April, 12:38 2024

Steve Sloan is all smiles as he meets the press and supporters during a press conference Feb. 15, 1973, which he was introduce as the new head football coach for the Vanderbilt Commodores. 73then02 033c credits: Frank Empson / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Steve Sloan, a quarterback for Bear Bryant at Alabama who later coached at four schools, died Sunday at the age of 79.

He had been in memory care in Orlando, Fla., for the last three months, according to an obituary written by former Alabama sports information director Wayne Atcheson.

Sloan won two national championships with the Crimson Tide in 1964 and 1965. He passed for 574 yards as the backup to Joe Namath in 1964 before throwing for 1,453 yards and 10 touchdowns as the starter in 1965.

Drafted in the 11th round by the Atlanta Falcons in 1966, Sloan appeared in eight games (one start) from 1966-67 and passed for 134 yards with four interceptions.

Sloan went on to become the head football coach at Vanderbilt (1973-74), Texas Tech (1975-77), Ole Miss (1978-82) and Duke (1983-86).

Sloan compiled an overall record of 68-86-3 in 14 seasons, leading the Commodores to the Peach Bowl in 1974 and the Red Raiders to the 1976 Bluebonnet Bowl and 1977 Tangerine Bowl. He was the Coach of the Year in the SEC in 1974 and the Southwest Conference in 1976.

—Field Level Media