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Former Alabama, NY Giants coach Ray Perkins dies at 79

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Ray Perkins, who replaced Hall of Famer Bear Bryant as Alabama's football coach and started the transition with the New York Giants that led to two Super Bowl titles, died Wednesday in Tuscaloosa. He was 79.

The school announced his passing on Wednesday, and daughter Rachael Perkins posted news of his death on her Facebook page. No other details were immediately available.

"He served the University of Alabama with great class and integrity," Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said on the Southeastern Conference coaches teleconference. "He was a great coach and had a tremendous impact on the game, and he was a really, really good person and a really good friend.