TUSCALOOSA (AP) — Alabama President Judy Bonner is recommending former Crimson Tide football player Bill Battle as athletic director.

Bonner says outgoing athletic director Mal Moore strongly endorsed Battle as his successor. Moore is stepping down to become a special assistant to Bonner because of health issues.

The Alabama board of trustees' executive committee scheduled a conference call Friday to vote on the selection.

Battle played with Moore on Bear Bryant's 1961 national championship team. He spent seven years as Tennessee's football coach starting in 1970 and his teams went 59-22-2 and won four of five bowl games.

Battle founded the Collegiate Licensing Company in 1981 and served as president and CEO until 2002. He also has served as chairman of the board of Licensing Partners International.