South Alabama associate head football coach Kurt Crain was found dead at his home from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on Tuesday at the age of 47, according to reports.

Baldwin County Coroner Sam Vinson told the Mobile Press-Register on Tuesday that while the case was still under investigation, the wound did appear to be self-inflicted and that an autopsy would likely be performed on Wednesday.

Crain was suffering from prostatitis, a prostate infection that caused him to miss practices and one game that the Jaguars played against North Carolina State. Crain had undergone three surgeries during the season and had lost 32 pounds in the early stages of the illness. Also, most of his prostate had been removed.

We've lost a great man, coach and mentor at the University of South Alabama, Jaguars coach Joey Jones said in a university release. In my opinion, Kurt was one of the best overall coaches I've ever seen. He cared about the players, they respected him greatly, and he was a tremendous football coach and motivator.

Crain joined South Alabama as inside linebackers coach in 2008. He was an Associated Press All-American linebacker at Auburn in 1987 and his 168 tackles from that season still ranks second on Auburn's single-season category.

Crain was drafted by the Houston Oilers and spent two seasons in the NFL with them and the Green Bay Packers.

He is survived by his wife, Susan, sons Blain and Jacob (who worked as a graduate assistant at South Alabama last season), and daughter Shelby.

Infection Infection Football