The news leaked out earlier Monday that Akron Zips assistant head football coach Alan "Tank" Arrington had died due to injuries suffered in a car crash. Monday evening the University of Akron confirmed the tragic news.
Arrington was involved in a two car wreck in his native Mississippi Mon., Dec. 23 and passed away shortly after due to injuries sustained in the crash. He was 44 years old. Known as Tank to friends and family, Arrington was in his second season as the Zips' assistant head coach and offensive line coach. He came to Akron following six years with North Alabama, where he spent the last three years working under close friend and current Zips' head coach Terry Bowden.
"I can't put into words how tragic this is," Bowden said Monday in an official statement released by the University of Akron Athletic Department. "Tank was a very good friend and a great person. My thoughts are with his family and those who had the chance to know him and play for him. In all my years of coaching I have never known someone who loved and cared for his players more than Tank. I have lost a best friend and I'm heartbroken."
According to the release no funeral arrangements have been made yet. Arrington is survived by his wife, Gail.