TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 24: Fans of the Alabama Crimson Tide cheer against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 24, 2009 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Former Alabama coaching legend returning home after serious health scare

Hopefully he makes a full recovery.

Alabama football fans remember Gene Stallings' time in Tuscaloosa quite fondly considering he won them a national title in 1992 and won the Paul "Bear" Bryant Aaward. The 82-year old legend had a bit of bad news during the week though. According to TideSports.com's Cecil Hurts, Stallings suffered a stroke on Thursday and was taken to the hospital. He told Hurts that he was at a banquet when it happened.

"I introduced Dabo (Swinney, the Clemson head coach and a former player for Stallings at Alabama) as the speaker but I didn't feel well at all. So I went to the hospital and they determined that I'd had a stroke before the banquet," Stallings said.

Stallings had planned a trip to Tuscaloosa for a scheduled appearance this week, but doctors suggested he minimize travel for the next six weeks. He flew back to Texas on Friday and seems to be fine after suffering a mild stroke.

Stallings was head coach at Alabama from 1990 to 1996 where he went 70-16-1 in seven seasons. That included going an undefeated 13-0 in 1992 en route to a 34-13 win over Miami in the Sugar Bowl to clinch Alabama's 12th national championship.

[h/t 247Sports]