Auburn loses program builder Dye at 80
College Football Hall of Famer Pat Dye, who took over a downtrodden Auburn football program in 1981 and turned it into a Southeastern Conference power, died Monday. He was 80.
Lee County (Ala.) coroner Bill Harris said Dye died at a hospice care facility in Auburn from complications of kidney and liver failure. Harris said Dye tested positive for COVID-19 after being admitted to the hospital for renal problems but was asymptomatic.
When Dye came to Auburn, he inherited a program with only three winning seasons in the previous six years. In 12 years, he had a 99-39-4 record. Auburn won or shared four conference titles and the Tigers were ranked in the Associated Press’ Top 10 five times.
“Not only was he a phenomenal football coach but an even better person,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said.
Dye’s overall record was 153-62-5 in 17 years at Auburn, Wyoming and East Carolina. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
In other college football news:
• Clemson junior star receiver Justyn Ross will miss the 2020 season, and his football career could be in jeopardy.
Ross has a “congenital fusion” in his spine that he’s had since birth, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. Ross is scheduled to have surgery on Friday.
Ross had 66 catches for 865 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
• Four-star offensive tackle Reuben Fatheree of Foster announced his intention to join Texas A&M’s 2021 recruiting class. Fatheree (6-8, 305 pounds) chose A&M over Alabama, Auburn and Baylor, among others.