Just two decades ago, Auburn football posted a 13-0 record under the tutelage of head coach Tommy Tuberville. Tuberville joined Auburn in 2000, spending ten seasons with the SEC program and compiling a fantastic 85-40 record. Following his resignation from Auburn, Tuberville had two short stints with Texas Tech and Cincinnati but failed to duplicate his success from his days with the Tigers. However, Tuberville returned to represent the state of Alabama in 2020, winning a seat in the Senate against Democrat Doug Jones. Tuberville’s interests and talking points have strongly shifted to politics, but he still references his coaching career from time to time.
On Thursday, Tuberville posted on his Twitter account, praising former Alabama football legendary head coach Nick Saban. Before Alabama, Saban coached the LSU Tigers from 2000 to 2004, the beginning of the Tuberville era at Auburn.
Former Auburn Football HC Tommy Tuberville: Recognizes Greatness of Nick Saban
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“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.”
Nick Saban has been a friend and competitor for decades.
His historic career and legacy is deserving of such an honor.https://t.co/JFTNs74oXo
— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) July 18, 2024
Originally named Denny Stadium in the late 1920s, the arena became Bryant-Denny Stadium in 1976 in honor of six-time national champion Bear Bryant. Saban also won six titles with Alabama while compiling a ludicrous 206-29 record with the Crimson Tide. Saban and Alabama won the SEC Western Division 12 times during his 17-year stretch. He also won the AP College Football Coach of the Year Award with Alabama in 2008, with the SEC program going 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, with the latter leading the LSU Tigers. A ranked Auburn squad took down LSU 34-17 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. LSU posted their first double-digit winning season under Saban in 2001, including beating Auburn at home 27-14. Auburn again won in 2002, but LSU bested them in 2003 en route to their first title in nearly 50 years. LSU failed to repeat as champions in 2004, with an eventual undefeated Auburn squad beating them 10-9.
Saban left for the NFL in 2005, spending the next two seasons with the Miami Dolphins before landing the head coaching job with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2007. Saban split the two Iron Bowl matchups with Auburn football before Tuberville resigned. Tuberville had short stints with Texas Tech and Cincinnati but never faced Alabama during that stretch.
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