Pat Dye facts for kids

Pat Dye (born November 6, 1939 – died June 1, 2020) was a famous American football player, coach, and sports leader at colleges. He was the head football coach for teams at East Carolina University (1974–1979), the University of Wyoming (1980), and Auburn University (1981–1992).

During his coaching career, he won 153 games, lost 62, and tied 5. While coaching at Auburn, he led his team to win four championships in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He was also named the SEC Coach of the Year three times. Pat Dye was also the Athletic Director at Auburn from 1981 to 1991. In 2005, he was honored by being added to the College Football Hall of Fame. The football field at Auburn University's stadium was named 'Pat Dye Field' in his honor on November 19, 2005.

Pat Dye's Football Playing Days

Pat Dye played high school football at Richmond Academy in Augusta, Georgia, from 1954 to 1956. He was chosen as an All-American and All-State player. He helped his team win the 3A state championship in 1956 and was the team captain. He also did well in track and field, placing second in shot-put and javelin in the state tournament.

After high school, Dye played for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1957 to 1960. He was a top player, chosen as a first-team All-SEC lineman and an All-American twice (in 1959 and 1960). He played both offense (as an offensive guard) and defense (as a linebacker). In 1960, he was named the SEC Lineman of the Year and was a team co-captain. He helped the Bulldogs win the SEC Championship and play in the Orange Bowl in 1959.

After college, Dye played professional football for three years. He played for the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League. He was a starter on both offense and defense. Then, from 1963 to 1964, he served in the US Army. He played football for the Ft. Benning 'Doughboys' team during his service.

Pat Dye's Coaching Career

Coaching at Alabama

Pat Dye started his coaching career as an assistant coach at the University of Alabama in 1965. He worked under the famous coach Bear Bryant. Dye helped coach the defense at Alabama until the end of the 1973 season.

Leading the East Carolina Pirates

Dye got his first job as a head coach at East Carolina University in 1974. Over six seasons, his team won 48 games, lost 18, and tied 1. He led the Pirates to win the Southern Conference championship in 1976. His teams won at least seven games every year he was there. In 2006, Dye was added to the East Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame. His winning percentage of 72.4% is the second highest for any coach in East Carolina University history.

One Season with Wyoming Cowboys

In 1980, Dye became the head coach at the University of Wyoming. Before he arrived, the Cowboys had only one winning season in the previous ten years. In his single year there, Dye helped turn the team around. They finished with a winning record of 6 wins and 5 losses. This helped set up the team for more success in the future.

Success with the Auburn Tigers

When Pat Dye interviewed for the head coaching job at Auburn, he was asked how long it would take him to beat their big rival, Alabama. Dye famously replied, "60 minutes!" (meaning one game). At Auburn, Dye coached for 12 seasons, winning 99 games, losing 39, and tying 4. His 99 wins are among the most in the school's history.

Under Dye's leadership, the Tigers won four Southeastern Conference championships (1983, 1987, 1988, 1989). He was one of only a few coaches in SEC history to win three championships in a row (1987, 1988, 1989). He was also named SEC Coach of the Year in 1983, 1987, and 1988. Pat Dye also served as Auburn's athletic director from 1981 to 1991.

Dye coached many great players, including Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson in 1985. He also coached Tracy Rocker, who won two major awards in 1988. The 1983 Auburn team, led by quarterback Randy Campbell, was one of Dye's best. They won 10 games in a row and were ranked very high nationally.

Dye's time at Auburn ended after an investigation into some team matters. While he was not found directly responsible for any rule breaking, it was decided that he should have known about and prevented them. Because of this, Dye stepped down as Athletic Director in 1991 and as head coach the next year.

On November 19, 2005, the playing field at Jordan-Hare Stadium at Auburn was named Pat Dye Field to honor him. This happened right before the "Iron Bowl" game against Alabama, which Auburn won. Dye was also important in moving Auburn's home games against Alabama to Jordan-Hare Stadium, which was a big change. He also led the Tigers to a big win over Alabama in 1982, which helped make the rivalry even stronger.

Books Written by Pat Dye

Pat Dye wrote his life story, called In The Arena, in 1992. He also wrote a children's book titled War Eagle! in 2006. His third book, After The Arena, came out in 2013 and talked about his life after he stopped coaching.

Pat Dye's Life After Coaching

Later in his life, Pat Dye spent most of his time on his farm in Notasulga, Alabama. There, he ran two businesses: Crooked Oaks Hunting Preserve and Quail Hollow Gardens Japanese Maple Farm & Nursery. People could visit his farm for horse rides, quail hunts, and garden tours. Pat Dye had four children and nine grandchildren.

In 2005, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. In 2014, he was also added to the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame. From 2013 to 2020, Dye hosted a weekly radio show called "The Coach Pat Dye Show." He talked about sports and shared his opinions on the show.

Pat Dye's Passing

On May 21, 2020, Pat Dye went to the hospital for kidney problems. He was also found to have COVID-19, but he did not show any symptoms from it. He passed away on June 1, 2020, in Auburn, due to complications from kidney and liver failure.

Pat Dye's Overall Coaching Record

Pat Dye's total record as a head coach was 153 wins, 62 losses, and 5 ties.

• East Carolina Pirates: 48 wins, 18 losses, 1 tie (1974–1979)
• Wyoming Cowboys: 6 wins, 5 losses (1980)
• Auburn Tigers: 99 wins, 39 losses, 4 ties (1981–1992)