Former Alabama coach Ray Perkins, who played under Paul “Bear” Bryant and later succeeded him as head coach, died Wednesday. He was 79.
Former Alabama football coach Ray Perkins, who played under Paul “Bear” Bryant and later succeeded him as head coach, died Wednesday. He was 79. “Our condolences to Ray Perkins’ family and friends,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said during the SEC teleconference. “He served the University of Alabama with great class and integrity. He was a great coach and he had a tremendous impact on the game, and he was a really good person and a really good friend.” Perkins grew up in Mississippi and played at Alabama, where he was an All-American wide receiver and part of Bryant’s 1964 and 1965 championship teams. He was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the NFL and appeared in two Super Bowls before working his way up in the coaching profession.
