Former College Football Coach Bill Dooley Dies at Age 82

Former North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest head football coach Bill Dooley died Tuesday at the age of 82. 

According to WRAL.com, Dooley's family announced the news in a statement. A UNC spokesman later confirmed Dooley's death, per Andrew Carter of the Charlotte Observer.

ACC Commissioner John Swofford released a statement on Dooley, via the ACC's website:

"

Bill Dooley had a profound impact on so many of us who played for him.  He was, pure and simple, a football coach in the truest sense.  He leaves a lasting legacy on the players he coached, the schools he represented, the Atlantic Coast Conference and the sport of college football.  I was fortunate to have him as a part of my life for over four decades – as a coach,  colleague and friend.  Our thoughts and prayers will remain with Marie and the entire Dooley family.

"

Dooley was a head coach in major college football for 26 consecutive years, beginning at UNC in 1967 and coaching at Wake Forest through 1992. He accrued an overall record of 161-127-5, which the NCAA later adjusted to 162-126-5.

He is perhaps best known for his 11-year tenure with the Tar Heels, which saw him go 69-53-2 with three ACC titles and a Sun Bowl win during a 1972 campaign in which UNC went 11-1.

Dooley then went 63-38-1 in nine years with the Hokies before closing his career out with a 29-36-2 mark in six years with the Demon Deacons.

The former Mississippi State offensive guard was named the ACC Coach of the Year on three occasions at UNC and Wake Forest, and he also doubled as the athletic director during his time at Virginia Tech.