re: Best SEC coach since Bryant

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Teague

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of course, last season's 12-0 run for Bama was mostly with Shula's players

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An unbelievable accomplishment.

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Are you trying to argue that Ron Zook left UF primed and ready to go

talent wise,hell yes....

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Saban was left the core of your team last year by Shula as well, so that's a pretty weak argument

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Saban was left the core of your team last year by Shula as well, so that's a pretty weak argument

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Those are the same players that lost to Auburn 4-5 years in a row, lost to MSU twice in a row, lost to LSU 4-5 straight, lost to ULM, etc...you get the picture?

They were not very good. For Saban to bring that group of rag tag hooligans around is astonishing.

I think Dye should be higher. I think the way he completely changed the mindset in Auburn after over two decades of frustration was a monumental accomplishment.

His teams were physical and executed (blocked and tackled) well like Bryant's. Nothing fancy, just good fundamental football.

Dye doesn't get the credit he deserves.

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of course, last season's 12-0 run for Bama was mostly with Shula's players



An unbelievable accomplishment.

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didn't shula go 10-2 in '05?

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didn't shula go 10-2 in '05?

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Between the 3 schools that are typically the strongest on Bama's schedule, and usually determine their place in the SEC, Shula was 1-12 during his time at Bama.

UT 1-3
AU 0-4
LSU 0-4

The players he left were not top SEC level and it's not even close.

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I think Dye should be higher. I think the way he completely changed the mindset in Auburn after over two decades of frustration was a monumental accomplishment.
His teams were physical and executed (blocked and tackled) well like Bryant's. Nothing fancy, just good fundamental football.

Dye doesn't get the credit he deserves.

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This is true without a doubt. Here is a recap of some of Dye's teams in the 80's.

1983 Auburn (11-1)
Pat Dye's team ended Auburn's 26-year SEC title drought by going 6-0 in the league. After a 20-7 home loss to Texas in Week 2, the Tigers put things together, closing the regular season with win over No. 5 Florida, No. 7 Maryland, No. 4 Georgia and No. 19 Alabama. Third-ranked Auburn beat No. 8 Michigan 9-7 in the Sugar Bowl, and appeared poised to win the national title after bowl losses by No. 1 Nebraska and No. 2 Texas, but No. 5 Miami jumped to the top spot after upsetting the Cornhuskers.

1986 Auburn (10-2)
Behind tailback Brent Fulwood and defensive lineman Tracy Rocker, the Tigers wound up fourth in the nation in scoring offense and second in total defense. But narrow losses to Florida (18-17) and Georgia (20-16) spoiled their SEC and national title hopes. Auburn finished No. 6 in the AP after beating Southern Cal in the Citrus Bowl.

1987 Auburn (9-1-2)
Led by Kurt Crain, Aundray Bruce and Tracy Rocker, the Tigers got their SEC title, despite a 20-20 tie at Tennessee, and they were in the running for the national crown before an inexplicable 34-6 home loss to Florida State in Week 9. Auburn entered the Sugar Bowl ranked No. 6 in the nation, but slipped one spot after tying No. 4 Syracuse 16-16 on a Win Lyle's 30-yard kick with one second left.

1988 Auburn (10-2)
Outscored their opponents 338-92. Auburn was 1 point away in the famous "Earthquake Game" from going undefeated and playing Notre Dame for the national championship. One one the best defenses in modern football gave only gave up more than 13 points once all year due to late 4th quarter touchdowns in a blowout win against North Carolina. In their only regular season loss, LSU did not cross midfield until the final drive. Auburn's only other loss was decided by a questionable pass interference call against Florida State in the Sugar Bowl.

1989 Auburn (11-2)
Only two losses were to a very good UT in Knoxville by 7. And a close loss to a juggernaut in Tallahasse.

Dye inheritted an AU program in total shambles that whose athletic department was losing money year and was so far in the shadow of Alabama and the Bear, it was ridiculous. AU had lost 8 straight to Bama, had little talent, and practically nothing going for it. He turned all that around and created the program of the 80's in the SEC.

Dye is no lower than 4 on that list and possibly 2 or 3 considering the circumstances and strength of Bama at the time.

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No. 1 Nebraska

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Nebraska would have worn Auburn's arse out.

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P.S. I totally agreed with Dye's decision to kick that field goal vs. SU.

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I do too. It was 4th and long (about 8 I think) at around the 20-25 yard line. AU had a great drive just to get to that point and a low percentage pass to the end zone or to try to pick up the 1st vs kicking the fg. Dye said in the interview on the field immediately after the game ended that his kids (AU) had fought too hard to come from behind in the 4th (down 10) to go home with a loss because he took a shot at the end zone.