Legendary Auburn Head Coach Pat Dye Passes Away At 80
By Michael Luciano
One of the most innovative and successful coaches in SEC history has died at the age of 80.
Auburn great Pat Dye passed away Monday after weeks of declining health. He had been in the hospital for some time after struggling with both a kidney infection and complications from the COVID-19 virus.
Hall of Fame Auburn football coach Pat Dye dead at age 80.https://t.co/SusEwyDBeH pic.twitter.com/3y7R9OuXHP
— 247Sports (@247Sports) June 1, 2020
Dye made his name as a coach with East Carolina and Wyoming before coming to the SEC, but he became a legend during his 11-year stint as the head coach at Auburn.
Dye went 99-39-4 at Auburn, finishing in the top 10 in the AP Rankings six times and winning six bowl games along the way. During the 1983 season, Dye only lost once and beat Michigan in the Sugar Bowl, finishing third in the AP Poll behind Miami and Nebraska. Dye's teams were always known for strong running games behind multiple tailbacks, and aggressive defenses that loved causing turnovers.
Dye not only helped keep the Tigers as one of the best programs in the SEC during his tenure, but he also helped players like Bo Jackson, Kevin Greene, and Steve Wallace enjoy very successful pro careers.
Auburn coaching legend Pat Dye passed away Monday.
— Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) June 1, 2020
Dye was hospitalized with a kidney issue. He tested positive for COVID-19.
He had a 99-39-4 record and won four SEC titles at Auburn from 1981-92. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005 pic.twitter.com/jSbJYSRrbK
SEC football in the 1980s was about playing tough, smashmouth football, and Dye's Auburn teams epitomized that philosophy as well as anyone. Our best wishes go out to the legendary coach's family and the Auburn community.