BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Steve Sloan, who began his athletics career as a backup quarterback for Joe Namath at the University of Alabama before going on to lead different athletics program over the years, died Sunday. He was 79.
Sloan’s death was confirmed in an obituary written by Wayne Atcheson, former UA sports information director.
Sloan, who was born in Austin, Texas, came to UA in 1962 and became a starter during the 1964 season, when Namath was injured.
After graduation in 1966, Sloan was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, playing as a backup for two seasons before leaving.
In 1968, Sloan returned to Tuscaloosa to be an assistant coach to Bryant.
By 1971, he had left for Tallahassee, Florida, to be offensive coordinator for Florida State University.
After several years of hopping around from Georgia Tech to Vanderbilt and Texas Tech, Sloan became head coach at Ole Miss, where he coached from 1978 to 1982.
During his time with the Rebels, Sloan led the program to a 20-34-1 record.
Sloan’s last stint as a head coach was at Duke, where he compiled a 13-31 record from 1983 to 1986.
After retiring from coaching, Sloan once again came back to Tuscaloosa, where he led the athletics program as athletic director from 1987 to 1989.
He would also serve as an AD at North Texas, University of Central Florida and Chattanooga.
