Auburn Tigers Football History

Auburn Tigers football history is one of the strongest in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Through the years, the Auburn Tigers mystique has grown and grown. You can read about the latest glorious chapter of War Eagle Football at Auburn's 2011 BCS National Championship.

Today, the sights and sounds of game day at the Jordan-Hare Stadium include an impressive collection of fight songs, including "War Eagle," "Eye of the Tiger," "Glory to Ole Auburn," and "Go Tigers." The stands swell with fans wearing the colors of burnt orange and navy blue. On the sidelines, Aubie the Auburn Tiger's mascot dances about - entertaining fans, as he has since 1962. You'll also hear about the "Auburn War Eagle." Here's where the Auburn War Eagle comes from.

Auburn Tigers football history traces back to 1892 when George Petrie, a History and Latin professor at the school, organized and coached the first team. The Tigers played their first football game against the University of Georgia team at Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Under Coach Petrie's one-year reign, the team boasted a 2-2 record. Subsequently, the team would see five different coaches in a span of eight years.

Toomer's Corner. Thanks to aubie1716@flikr.com for the picture.

Auburn joined the SEC in 1933 and to date has won six SEC Conference Championships. The conference split into Eastern and Western divisions in 1992. Since then, Auburn has captured three Western Division championships (1997, 2000, 2004, and 2010).

The Tigers won the SEC championship in 2004 and 2010. Auburn went undefeated in 2010 and in 2004, but (in a controversial decision) was denied the opportunity by the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) to play in the 2004 2005 National Championship game. See Florida Gators.

Cheer on the Auburn Tigers with Merchandise and Apparel, Tickets, and Baseball Caps.

War Eagle VII. Thanks to aubie1716@flikr.com for the picture.

Auburn Tigers Football -- Stadium History

Auburn's Jordan Hare Stadium. Thanks to Carolina Hornig at flickr.com for the picture.

The campus of Auburn University is home to Jordan-Hare Stadium, named after Ralph "Shug" Jordan (the all-time winningest Auburn football coach) and Cliff Hare (a member of the first Auburn football team).

Before Jordan-Hare came to be, the Tigers gathered at Auburn Stadium from 1939 to 1949 and the Cliff Hare Stadium from 1949 to 1973. With a seating capacity of 87,451, the Jordan-Hare Stadium is now known as one of the top ten largest on-campus stadiums in the NCAA.

Over the years, the Auburn Tigers have hosted many reputable football teams on their field, including well-known rivalries against the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs, and LSU Tigers.

Night Game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Thanks to tripletri at flickr.com for the picture.

Auburn Tigers Football History -- Notable Coaches and Players

Any discussion of "all-time best Auburn football coaches" would start with Shug Jordan. Jordan was the longest tenured instructor in Auburn history (25 years) and he also won more football games than any football coach in Auburn's history. Shug Jordan was one of the Best All-Time SEC Football Coaches.

In 1957, Shug brought home a National Title. [Actually, Auburn was then called "Alabama Polytechnic Institute"; the name was changed to Auburn in 1960 (thanks to a visitor for pointing this out).] Of course Auburn won it all again in 2010-2011 and many Auburn fans would argue Tommy Tuberville did it in 2004 (see above).

Some of Auburn's greatest football coaches have included John Heisman (1895-1899), Mike Donahue (1904-1906), Pat Dye (1981-1992), Terry Bowden (1993-1998), Tommy Tuberville (1999 - 2008) and of course Gene Chizik (2009 - ?). Heisman, Donahue, and Dye have joined Jordan in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Auburn University has also produced many great football players. Of course, Bo Jackson (1982-1985) won the 51st Heisman Trophy and is acknowledged as one of the Best All-Time SEC Football Players. After his career as a Tiger, Bo was the 1st overall pick in the NFL draft.

Another Auburn 1st NFL draft pick was, linebacker Aundray Bruce, was the 1st overall pick in the 1988 NFL draft. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, and unfortunately turned out to be a "bust" in the NFL.

Surely, Cam Newton will soon be another 1st Round NFL draft pick from Auburn. You can read more about Cam Newton in the bio we have listed below.

Auburn players who have made it to the College Football Hall of Fame are:

1. Bo Jackson
2. Pat Sullivan (the 1971 Heisman Trophy winner)
3. Tracy Rocker
4. Jimmy Hitchcock
5. Terry Beasley
6. Walter Gilbert, and
7. Tucker Frederickson
   

Auburn Tigers Endzone. Thanks to Carolina Hornig at flickr.com for the picture.

Auburn Tigers Football History - Did you Know?

The nickname for the Auburn Tigers comes from a verse in a 1770 poem titled, "The Deserted Village," which was penned by Oliver Goldsmith. A passage reads, "where crouching tigers wait their hapless prey." The poem also mentions that "Sweet Auburn" is the "loveliest village of the plain."

Other Auburn Football Pages:

• 2011 Auburn Tigers Football Preview -- 2010 Auburn football information with pictures, links and other Auburn Tigers football information.
• 2010 Auburn Tigers Football -- 2010 Auburn football information with pictures, links and other Auburn Tigers football information.
• 2009 Auburn Tigers Football -- 2009 Auburn Tigers Football information.
• 2008 Auburn Tigers Football -- 2008 Auburn Tigers Football info.
• 2007 Auburn Football -- 2007 Auburn Football info.
• Gene Chizik Biography --Auburn Head Coach
• Ralph "Shug" Jordan Biography -- Former Auburn Coach
• John Heisman Biography -- Former Auburn Coach
• Tommy Tuberville Biography --Former Auburn Coach
• Cam Newton Biography -- Greatest players in Auburn history
• Tracy Rocker Biography --Auburn defensive lineman
• Auburn - Alabama Heisman Trophy Winners
• Best All-Time SEC Football Coach -- (Shug Jordan and John Heisman were finalists)
• Best All-Time SEC Football Player -- (Bo Jackson is a finalist)
• Bo Jackson Biography
• Best All-Time SEC Football Rivalry Games
• Biggest All-Time College Football Rivalry
• All-Time Best SEC Football College -- Auburn listed as a finalist
• Best All-Time SEC Football Team -- '57 Auburn Team is a finalist
• SEC Football Traditions
• SEC School Mascots
• Origins of SEC School Colors
• Auburn University Trip
• Auburn Tigers Gifts
• Auburn Tigers Fan Store
• Auburn Tigers Apparel
• Auburn Tigers Merchandise
• Auburn Tigers Tailgate Party Shop
• Auburn Tigers Fathead
• Auburn Tigers Tickets

AUBURN TIGERS FOOTBALL HISTORY
AUBURN TIGERS FOOTBALL HISTORY
AUBURN TIGERS FOOTBALL HISTORY

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