Just two decades ago, Auburn football went 13-0 under head coach Tommy Tuberville. Tuberville joined Auburn in 2000 and spent 10 seasons with the SEC program, accumulating an incredible 85-40 record. Following his resignation from Auburn, Tuberville had two brief spells at Texas Tech and Cincinnati, but he was unable to replicate his Tigers success. Tuberville returned to serve Alabama in 2020, defeating Democrat Doug Jones for a seat in the Senate. Tuberville’s interests and talking points have switched heavily toward politics, but he still makes occasional references to his coaching career.
Tuberville took to Twitter on Thursday to praise former Alabama football head coach Nick Saban. Prior to Alabama, Saban coached the LSU Tigers from 2000 to 2004, which marked the beginning of the Tuberville era at Auburn.
“Nick Saban has been a friend and competitor for decades. His historic career and legacy is deserving of such an honor,” said former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville on Twitter hours after Sports Illustrated reported that the Alabama Crimson Tide will dedicate the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Saban’s honor this upcoming September. Bryant-Denny Stadium will continue to hold its name, but the playing surface will be named “Nick Saban Field.”
Originally named Denny Stadium in the late 1920s, the arena was renamed Bryant-Denny Stadium in 1976 to honor six-time national champion Bear Bryant. Saban also won six championships with Alabama, establishing an incredible 206-29 record with the Crimson Tide. Saban and Alabama won the SEC Western Division 12 times during his 17-year tenure. He also won the AP College Football Coach of the Year Award with Alabama in 2008, as the SEC team improved from 7-6 to 12-2.
Tuberville vs. Saban: SEC Rivalry
Tommy Tuberville and the Auburn football program first faced off against a Nick Saban-led team in 2000, when Saban coached the LSU Tigers. A rated Auburn team defeated LSU 34-17 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. LSU had their first double-digit winning season under Saban in 2001, defeating Auburn at home 27-14. Auburn triumphed again in 2002, but LSU defeated them in 2003 for their first championship in over 50 years. LSU failed to repeat as champs in 2004, losing to an eventual undefeated Auburn squad 10-9.
Saban left for the NFL in 2005, playing two seasons with the Miami Dolphins before becoming the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2007. Saban split the two Iron Bowl games against Auburn football before Tuberville resigned. Tuberville had brief stops at Texas Tech and Cincinnati, but never faced Alabama during that time.
