Longtime University of Alabama coach and athletics administrator Clem Gryska passed away on Monday after a brief illness.

“It’s so sad to hear the news,” said UA Director of Athletics Mal Moore, who coached with Gryska at Alabama for many years. “Clem was a lot of fun to be around. He gave everybody support. He and (former UA assistant coach) Dude Hennessey were very close. It was always fun to gather in Clem’s office and reminisce and laugh. He will be missed by every player that joined the team in those days.”

A native of Steubenville, Ohio, Gryska was a football player at Alabama from 1945-48, earning varsity letters in 1947-48. He was a freshman on the 1945 team that defeated Southern California in the Rose Bowl by a score of 34-14. More here.