List of Auburn Tigers head football coaches
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The Auburn Tigers college football team represents Auburn University in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Tigers compete as part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. The program has had 30 head coaches, and 4 interim head coaches, since it began play during the 1892 season.[1] The Tigers current head coach is Alex Golesh.
The team has played more than 1,300 games over 133 seasons.[1] In that time, nine coaches have led the Tigers in postseason bowl games: Jack Meagher, Ralph Jordan, Pat Dye, Terry Bowden, Tommy Tuberville, Gene Chizik, Gus Malzahn, Bryan Harsin, and Hugh Freeze. Seven coaches won conference championships: Walter H. Watkins and Mike Donahue won a combined three as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association; Chet A. Wynne won one as a member of the Southern Conference; and Jordan, Dye, Tuberville, Chizik, and Malzahn won a combined eight as a member of the SEC.[2] During their tenures, Jordan and Chizik each won a national championship with the Tigers.[2][3]
Jordan is the leader in seasons coached and games won, with 176 victories during his 25 years with the program.[1] M. S. Harvey and Johnny Floyd have the lowest winning percentage of those who have coached more than one game, with .000.[1] Of the 26 different head coaches who have led the Tigers, John Heisman,[4] Donahue,[5] Jordan[6] and Dye[7] have been inducted as head coaches into the College Football Hall of Fame.
| General | Overall | Conference | Postseason[A 1] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Order of coaches[A 2] | GC | Games coached | CW | Conference wins | PW | Postseason wins |
| DC | Division championships | OW | Overall wins | CL | Conference losses | PL | Postseason losses |
| CC | Conference championships | OL | Overall losses | CT | Conference ties | PT | Postseason ties |
| NC | National championships | OT | Overall ties[A 3] | C% | Conference winning percentage | ||
| † | Elected to the College Football Hall of Fame | O% | Overall winning percentage[A 4] | ||||
Coaches
| No. | Name | Year(s)[A 6] | Season(s) | GC | OW | OL | OT | O% | CW | CL | CT | C% | PW | PL | PT | DC[A 7] | CC | NC | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Petrie | 1892 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.500 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | — |
| 2 | D. M. Balliet | 1893 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | — |
| 3 | George Roy Harvey | 1893 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0.750 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | — |
| 4 | Forrest M. Hall | 1894 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0.250 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | — |
| 5 | John Heisman† | 1895–1899 | 5 | 18 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 0.722 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 0.643 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| 6 | Walter H. Watkins | 1900 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0.650 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0.688 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | — |
| 7 | William M. Williams | 1901 | 1 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0.450 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0.500 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| 8 | Ralph S. Kent | 1902 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0.500 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0.500 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| 9 | M. S. Harvey | 1902 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .000 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| 10 | William Penn Bates | 1903 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0.571 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0.400 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| 11 | Mike Donahue† | 1904–1906 1908–1922 |
3, 15 | 146 | 106 | 35 | 5 | 0.743 | 65 | 26 | 3 | 0.707 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 2 | 3 (1910, 1913, 1914) | — |
| 12 | Willis Kienholz | 1907 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0.722 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0.583 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| 13 | Boozer Pitts | 1923–1924 1927 |
2, 1 | 24 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 0.417 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 0.281 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| 14 | Dave Morey | 1925–1927 | 3 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 0.500 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 0.464 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| 15 | George Bohler | 1928–1929 | 2 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 0.214 | 0 | 10 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| 16 | Johnny Floyd | 1929 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| 17 | Chet A. Wynne | 1930–1933 | 4 | 39 | 22 | 15 | 2 | 0.590 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 0.521 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | — |
| 18 | Jack Meagher | 1934–1942 | 9 | 95 | 48 | 37 | 10 | 0.558 | 26 | 25 | 7 | 0.509 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | SEC Coach of the Year (1935)[14] |
| 19 | Carl M. Voyles | 1944–1947 | 4 | 37 | 15 | 22 | 0 | 0.405 | 4 | 17 | 0 | 0.190 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| 20 | Earl Brown | 1948–1950 | 3 | 29 | 3 | 22 | 4 | 0.172 | 2 | 18 | 2 | 0.136 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| 21 | Ralph Jordan† | 1951–1975 | 25 | 265 | 176 | 83 | 6 | 0.675 | 96 | 65 | 4 | 0.594 | 5 | 7 | 0 | — | 1 | 2 (1957, 1958) | AP SEC Coach of the Year (1953, 1957, 1972)[14] UPI SEC Coach of the Year (1963, 1972)[14] SEC Coach of the Year (1953, 1963, 1972)[14] |
| 22 | Doug Barfield | 1976–1980 | 5 | 55 | 29 | 25 | 1 | 0.536 | 15 | 14 | 1 | 0.517 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| 23 | Pat Dye† | 1981–1992 | 12 | 142 | 99 | 39 | 4 | 0.703 | 48 | 27 | 3 | 0.635 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 (1983) | AP SEC Coach of the Year (1987, 1988)[14] UPI SEC Coach of the Year (1983, 1988)[14] SEC Coach of the Year (1983, 1987, 1988)[14] |
| 24 | Terry Bowden[A 8] | 1993–1998 | 6 | 65 | 47 | 17 | 1 | 0.731 | 30 | 14 | 1 | 0.678 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 (1993) | FWAA Coach of the Year (1993)[17] George Munger Award (1993)[18] Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (1993)[19] Walter Camp Coach of the Year (1993)[20] AP SEC Coach of the Year (1993)[14] |
| Interim | Bill Oliver[A 8] | 1998 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | — | 0.400 | 0 | 3 | — | .000 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 25 | Tommy Tuberville | 1999–2008 | 10 | 125 | 85 | 40 | — | 0.680 | 51 | 29 | — | 0.638 | 5 | 3 | — | 5 | 1 | 1 (2004) | AFCA Coach of the Year (2004)[21] Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (2004)[19] Walter Camp Coach of the Year (2004)[20] AP Coach of the Year (2004)[22] AP SEC Coach of the Year (2004)[23] |
| 26 | Gene Chizik | 2009–2012 | 4 | 52 | 33 | 19 | — | 0.635 | 15 | 17 | — | 0.469 | 3 | 0 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 (2010) | Home Depot Coach of the Year (2010)[24] Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award (2010)[25] Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (2010)[19] Bobby Bowden National Collegiate Coach of the Year Award (2010)[26] AP SEC Coach of the Year (2010)[27] |
| 27 | Gus Malzahn[A 9] | 2013–2020 | 8 | 103 | 68 | 35 | — | 0.660 | 39 | 27 | — | 0.591 | 2 | 5 | — | 2 | 1 | 0 | Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award (2013)[28] Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (2013)[29] Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year Award (2013)[30] Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award (2013)[31] Sporting News College Football Coach of the Year (2013) Home Depot Coach of the Year Award (2013)[32] SEC Coach of the Year (2013)[33] |
| Interim | Kevin Steele[A 9] | 2020 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | — | .000 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 28 | Bryan Harsin[A 10] | 2021–2022 | 2 | 21 | 9 | 12 | — | 0.429 | 4 | 9 | — | 0.308 | 0 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Interim | Cadillac Williams[34][A 10] | 2022 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | — | 0.500 | 1 | 2 | — | 0.333 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 29 | Hugh Freeze[35] | 2023–2025 | 3 | 34 | 15 | 19 | — | 0.441 | 6 | 16 | — | 0.273 | 0 | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Interim | D. J. Durkin | 2025 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | 0.333 | 0 | 2 | — | .000 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| 30 | Alex Golesh | 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | – | 0 | 0 | — | – | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | — |
Notes
- ↑ Although the first Rose Bowl Game was played in 1902, it has been continuously played since the 1916 game, and is recognized as the oldest bowl game by the NCAA. "—" indicates any season prior to 1916 when postseason games were not played.[8]
- ↑ A running total of the number of head coaches, with coaches who served separate tenures being counted only once. Interim head coaches are represented with "Int" and are not counted in the running total. "—" indicates the team played but either without a coach or no coach is on record. "X" indicates an interim year without play.
- ↑ Overtime rules in college football were introduced in 1996, making ties impossible in the period since.[9]
- ↑ When computing the win–loss percentage, a tie counts as half a win and half a loss.[10]
- ↑ Statistics correct as of the end of the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season.
- ↑ Auburn did not field a team for the 1943 season due to World War II.[11]
- ↑ Beginning with the institution of SEC divisional play in 1992, divisional champions advanced to the SEC Championship Game. Auburn competed as a member of the defunct SEC West.[12] The SEC eliminated divisions with the start of the 2024 season.[13]
- 1 2 Terry Bowden finished the 1998 season with a record of one win and five losses prior to his resignation as head coach on October 23, 1998. Bill Oliver served as interim head coach for the final five games of the season, finishing with two wins and three losses.[15][16]
- 1 2 On December 13, 2020, Malzahn was fired as head coach of Auburn at the conclusion of his eighth season. Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele served as interim head coach for Auburn's Citrus Bowl loss.[citation needed]
- 1 2 Bryan Harsin was fired as Auburn's head coach on Monday, October 31, 2022. Running backs coach Cadillac Williams served as interim head coach for Auburn's remaining four regular season games.[citation needed]
References
General
- "Auburn Coaching Records". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
- 2010 Auburn Football Media Guide. Auburn, Alabama: Auburn Media Relations Office. 2010. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
Specific
- 1 2 3 4 2010 Auburn Football Media Guide, p. 157
- 1 2 2010 Auburn Football Media Guide, pp. 184–193
- ↑ National Collegiate Athletic Association (2010). 2010 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Records (PDF). Indianapolis, Indiana: NCAA.org. pp. 68–77. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
- ↑ College Football Hall of Fame profile
- ↑ College Football Hall of Fame profile
- ↑ College Football Hall of Fame profile
- ↑ College Football Hall of Fame profile
- ↑ National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) (2011). Bowl/All-Star Game Records (PDF). Indianapolis, Indiana: NCAA. pp. 5–10. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved August 21, 2011.
- ↑ Whiteside, Kelly (August 25, 2006). "Overtime system still excites coaches". USA Today. McLean, Virginia. Archived from the original on September 6, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
- ↑ Finder, Chuck (September 6, 1987). "Big plays help Paterno to 200th". The New York Times. New York City. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
- ↑ 2010 Auburn Football Media Guide, pp. 136
- ↑ Harwell, Hoyt (November 30, 1990). "SEC sets division lineups". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1C. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ↑ "SEC Establishes 2024 Football Schedule Format" (Press release). Birmingham, Alabama: Southeastern Conference. June 1, 2023. Archived from the original on November 14, 2025. Retrieved November 14, 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2006 Auburn Football Media Guide (PDF). Auburn, Alabama: Auburn Media Relations Office. 2006. p. 178. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 8, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
- ↑ Hurt, Cecil (October 24, 1998). "Terry's record not only factor in resignation". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
- ↑ Halvatgis, Jenna (November 25, 1998). "Oliver backs out". The Gadsden Times. p. D1. Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ↑ "All-time Eddie Robinson Award Winners". Football Writers Association of America. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ↑ "George Munger Award – Past recipients". Maxwell Football Club. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
- 1 2 3 "Coach of the Year Award: Bear Bryant Awards". BryantAwards.com. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- 1 2 "Walter Camp Football Foundation Awards". Walter Camp Football Foundation. Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Tuberville named 2004 AFCA Coach of the Year". AuburnTigers.com. January 11, 2005. Archived from the original on February 17, 2008. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
- ↑ "Tommy Tuberville named AP Coach of the Year". AuburnTigers.cstv.com. December 24, 2004. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Campbell, Tuberville earn AP Player, Coach Awards; Tigers honored with 15 AP selections". AuburnTigers.cstv.com. December 7, 2004. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ↑ Low, Chris (December 8, 2010). "Chizik wins Home Depot coaching honor". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on December 11, 2010. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year: 2010 Winner: Gene Chizik, Auburn University". Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ↑ Goldberg, Charles (January 24, 2011). "Auburn's Gene Chizik wins Bobby Bowden National Collegiate Coach of the Year Award". The Birmingham News. Archived from the original on January 28, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ↑ Goldberg, Charles (December 6, 2010). "Auburn's Cam Newton, Nick Fairley, Gene Chizik win top SEC awards from the AP". The Birmingham News. Archived from the original on December 10, 2010. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
- ↑ "Liberty Mutual Insurance Awards 2013 Coach of the Year Honors to Nations Top Football Leaders Who Excel | LMG". www.libertymutualgroup.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ↑ "Paul". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ↑ "AP Coach of the Year Award Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ↑ "FWAA > Awards > Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year | All-Time Winners". www.sportswriters.net. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ↑ "Home Depot Coach of the Year Award Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ↑ "SEC Coach of the Year Winners". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
- ↑ "Sources: Auburn tabs Carnell 'Cadillac' Williams as interim head football coach". October 31, 2022. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ↑ "Hugh Freeze named head football coach at Auburn". Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
# denotes interim head coach |
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