Tommy Tuberville: Knows Winning Starts on the Ground

Tommy Tuberville has found success at two different SEC schools. Can he have that same success in another conference?

In 1997 while at Ole Miss Tommy Tuberville was named the AP coach of the year. Ole Miss was under severe scholarship sanctions but, Tuberville's go for broke mentality brought them success. He'd obtain the nickname "Riverboat Gambler" for his loose play calling. At the end of the season in 1998 Tommy left for Auburn, he ended his tenure at Mississippi with a 25-20 record. 

In 1998 when Tuberville was hired at Auburn he replaced Terry Bowden. There had been some successful seasons under Bowden but, most fans would tell you the change was needed. Auburn had some mediocre seasons when the talent was there to win.

Tuberville made changes in his first two seasons. The first thing Auburn fans noticed was the improvements on defense, the next thing that became noticeable was the running game got stronger. Auburn known as a running school had gotten away from that under Terry Bowden. The ball control offense was a significant part of turning the program around. 

Auburn had turned the 2-6 SEC record in '99 into a 6-2 record in 2000. Even with a viable passing offense the Tigers continued to pound the ground. Tuberville knew the solid running attack would make throwing the ball easier. It was never more than 60-40, when Auburn did pass the ball the match ups were favorable. In 2004 with Jason Campbell at QB and a duel threat at RB of Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown, Auburn would go on to their first undefeated season since 1993. Tommy Tuberville went 85-40 in ten years at Auburn.

Hired to replace Mike Leach at Texas Tech, Tommy Tuberville takes over a high scoring offense. His first decision to make as head coach was for QB. He announced he was going with Tyler Potts. We have all come to know the Red Raiders as a high scoring passing team, that won shootout type games. Although Tuberville has a passing team, he said expect them have a 60-40 passing offense. He acknowledged that if the defense plays well he'd throw it more 65-35.

I see Texas Tech going 8-4 under Tommy Tuberville. It's not going to be enough to get a shot in the conference championship game. Red Raiders fans can expect to consistently be among the best teams in the conference.