Tommy Tuberville enters Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

May 8, 2026 – BIRMINNGHAM, Ala. – Members of the media joined Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in Birmingham along with the other 2026 inductees to the hall.

Senator Tuberville was the Auburn football Coach from 1999 to 2008. During his tenure, he compiled an 85 and 40 record, including an undefeated 13-0 season in and SEC Championship in 2004. Auburn won five SEC Western Division titles during Tuberville's tenure. Tuberville also coached at Ole Miss, Texas Tech, and Cincinnati. He finished with a 159 and 99 record as a head coach – one of the top 50 most winningest coaches of all time.

"It's awesome," Tuberville said of being a 2026 inductee. "I have come to this place many times."

Tuberville's father was a career Army soldier who served under Patton in World War II.

Tuberville said that he told his dad that he wanted to be a college football coach. His father was skeptical of Tommy accomplishing that fete.

"You don't have the right pedigree," Tuberville recalled his dad saying.

Tuberville's father never say Tuberville named as head coach.

"He passed away at age 51," said Tuberville.

"We have been very fortunate," Tuberville said of being able to coach so many great players over the years. "It is definitely a team award."

Tuberville was joined in the 2026 class by the quarterback of that undefeated 2004 team – Jason Campbell.

"You knew he was going to be great player not just because of his athletic ability, but also because his dad was a coach and he had raised him the right way," Tuberville said of Campbell.

Tuberville credited NFL Hall of Fame Coach Jimmy Johnson for giving him his break.

"Jimmy hired me in 1985," Tuberville said.

Johnson was the head coach at Miami from 1984 to 1989. That team played in two national championship games winning the 1987 one. When Johnson left to coach the Dallas Cowboys, Tuberville remained at Miami under Dennis Ericson where they won national titles in 1989 and 1991. After the 1993 season Tuberville joined R.C. Slocum at Texas A&M. Tuberville was the head Coach at Ole Miss for four seasons where he complied a 25 and 20 record and was the AP Coach of the Year in 1997.

"My proudest moment was the continued success in my ten years at Auburn," said Tuberville.

Tuberville emphasized how difficult it is to have sustained success in the SEC. He credited Dr. Jimmy Andrews for helping in that effort.

"He got people on the field," Tuberville said of Dr. Andrews' ability to heal players from injuries.

The biggest game on Auburn's football schedule if the Iron Bowl where the Tigers play the University of Alabama.

"It is hard beating Alabama," said Tuberville. "I was told by the people that hired me that you will be judged largely by that game."

Tuberville said that every day they were at Auburn they did something that had to do with preparing for that game.

"There is no other sport like it," Tuberville said of college football.

After decades as Coach, educator, and sports broadcaster, Tuberville made the transition to politics, defeating incumbent Senator Doug Jones (D-Alabama) in a landslide in the 2020 election.

"I spend a couple of hours every morning just reading," said Tuberville about his work in the Senate where he is responsible for being knowledgeable of defense, budget, agriculture, veterans, and education issues.

Tuberville said that the part he issues most about sports is game Saturdays.

"We prepared all week for Saturday," said Tuberville. With politics he works all weeks but then there is never a Saturday game where it all comes together.

Tuberville is sponsoring legislation in the Congress to reform NIL and transfers in college sports to keep the sport competitive.

"I am fine with players getting paid," said Tuberville. "But some schools are paying over $50 million."

Tuberville says that he favors allowing players to transfer; but only one time.

"This transferring every year chasing more money is completely out of whack," said Sen. Tuberville. "We don't need transferring every year."

"We are running out of time," said Tuberville. "I have got seven months to get this done and I need seven Democrats," to support the bill.

While Tuberville was at the ASHOF the Alabama Legislature passed legislation that would effectively switch Alabama from a five Republican: two Democrat congressional delegation to a six Republican one Democrat one.

The New England states are, "35% or 40% Republican" but they don't have one Republican congressman.

Tuberville was asked about his view on the legislation. He said that he had spoken to Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) about it, but is not directing the Legislature on what they should do.

"I have got no dog in that hunt," said Tuberville. "President Trump is not involved I am not involved"

Tuberville is a Republican candidate for Governor.

"I want to be a leader," said Tuberville. "You are going to affect somebody's life some good and some bad, but you hope more good."

"I am going to represent everybody whether they vote for me or not."

Jack Meyers is the Director of the Alabama Sports Hall Of Fame.

"Every year it is amazing when you look around at the athletes and this class is amazing," said Meyers.

Meyers said that the ASHOF is one of the largest sports hall of fames with 32,000 square feet of space and 7000 items of memorabilia.

This class will raise that to 409 inductees.

In addition to Tuberville and Campbell the 2026 class includes: University of Alabama basketball player Ray Odums, University of Alabama and NFL football player John Copeland, Florence native baseball player Jeff Brantley who played 12 seasons in the major leagues, former Auburn women's golf coach Kim Evans, former Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Evan Matthis, and former UAH softball Coach Les Stuedeman. Longtime ESPN personality Rece Davis won the Sportsman of the year award. The Star - Sullivan Achievement award went to former Troy Quarterback Mike Turk. Jon Johnson won the Mel Allen media award. The induction banquet will be Saturday night.

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