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

“It’s so sad to hear the news,” said Athletic Director Mal Moore, who coached with Gryska at Alabama. “Clem was a lot of fun to be around. He gave everybody support. He and [former Alabama 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, 34-14.

Gryska served as head freshman coach and recruiting coordinator for Paul “Bear” Bryant at Alabama from 1960-76 before becoming an assistant athletic director for the Tide. Later in his career, he became an administrative adviser to the athletic department. After he retired from the athletic department, Gryska worked at the Bryant Museum on the UA campus for many years.

“He was a father figure to every player that came through here, a kind man,” Moore said. “He was so involved with each freshman class, recruiting the players. He’ll be missed by many. He had great connections to the high school coaches in the state. He did a super job of helping to coordinate our recruiting efforts through the years.”

“He coached the freshmen every year. Everyone was scared to death and homesick. He was the father figure. He was dearly loved by every player.”

Gryska was married to the late Alice Scott. The couple had three children — twins Ted and Debby, and another son, Greg.