subject: The Tradition Of Auburn Tiger's Big 3 Sports [print this page] Auburn football began play back in 1892Auburn football began play back in 1892. The team's first bowl game appearance came during the 1936 season. As of the year 2009, Tiger football has 78 winning seasons, 35 bowl appearances, & 10 conference championships. Auburn has been a member of the SEC since 1933. This was the inaugural season of this conference. Auburn has won 6 SEC championships. Auburn ranks 13 overall in total wins in D-1A college football history. The Tigers has only 1 "official" national title in football coming in 1957. Auburn football has two prior Heisman Trophy winners. Pat Sullivan claimed this title in 1971 & Bo Jackson in 1985. Bo Jackson was a well-remembered player. He was known for his punishing style of running while also fast for a man his size. Auburn's big rivalry team is Alabama. Each time these two play the game is called the "Iron Bowl".
The football program has 2 previous Heisman Trophy winners. They square up against "The Big Red Elephant" every year in their traditional "Iron Bowl" match-up. The program's been through several coaches (25) since its existence. Success early on came from a College Football Hall Of Fame coach in Mike Donahue. More success followed with the likes of Bowden & Tuberville. Success doesn't always keep your job though. Tuberville was fired after the 2008 season & replaced by current head coach Gene Chizik.
Auburn baseball has posted limited success in more recent years. That wasn't the case though back in the earlier days & times. A legendary coach of 16 years in command. The team had a great run of achievements during this time. A coach that won 2/3 of the games he coached during a 16 year period. Since this coaches exit the team has really struggled over the past 9 seasons. Still, 3 SEC conference titles & 4 invitations to the College World Series for the Auburn Tiger's baseball program. This is pretty good success for what's called a "football" school, right? Maybe not the same success but certainly worthy of some notice. Currently, in 2010, the team has a lot of young players. Can the baseball program get that success back in the future? Maybe over time the Auburn Tiger's baseball program can gain that coveted success they once claimed under legendary coach Hal Baird.
Over 100 years of hoops with the Auburn basketball program. The pigskin success of Tiger football hangs over the basketball team. How couldn't that type of accomplishments on the football filed not be noticed? 19 head coaches since 1905. The all-time leader in victories in Jim Eaves.
Former Tiger great & NBA great Charles "Sir Charles" Barkley. Great legendary coach in Sonny Smith. A man (Cliff Ellis) that took the program to new heights with sweet sixteen appearances in 1999 & 2003. A recent change in 2010 to another head coach (Tony Barbee). Can a guy with some success at UTEP take over a basketball program that has been going downhill over the past few years?
