Auburn Football: Pat Dye’s 3 biggest accomplishments

Pat Dye was one of the most accomplished head coaches for the Auburn football program as well as college football overall.

It’s been a difficult year for many people and sports fans all over the world and things didn’t get much better on June 1 when former Auburn head coach Pat Dye died after complications of kidney and liver failure. He was also battling the novel coronavirus during his hospitalization.

Not only was Dye was one of the most successful Tiger coaches but he was also one of the most celebrated. He served as head coach of the Tigers from 1981-1992 as well as athletic director from 1981-1991.

Dye left a legacy not only for the Auburn Tigers but for the sport of college football overall.

As a player for the Georgia Bulldogs, Dye was a two-way starter as a guard on offense and a linebacker on defense. He was a two-time All-American in 1959 and 1960 as a guard.

Dye started his coaching career with the Alabama Crimson Tide from 1965-1973 as linebackers coach. He is regarded as one of Paul “Bear” Bryant’s greatest assistants of all time.

His first head coaching job was with the East Carolina Pirates for six seasons from 1974-79. Dye spent one season with the Wyoming Cowboys in the 1980 college football season. He was hired by the Tigers after spending one season at Wyoming and turned Auburn into a consistent powerhouse and most of the financially wealthy football program.

The sport of college football is embedded in the philosophy of Dye in his success since the beginning of his career.

Here are the three biggest accomplishments in his coaching career.