Perhaps we'll even look back one day and say a pair of new acts debuted that may wind up being long-running gigs that spawn even more historic folk heroes. Tommy Tuberville arrived as the Auburn head football coach on Oct. 13, 2001. He avenged the first-year defeat at home to hated Alabama by blanking the Tide in Tuscaloosa. His recruiting classes ranked better than any AU efforts in a decade. Still, he didn't honestly settle in until the shocking 23-20 upset over No. 1 Florida on Oct. 13, 2001.
Most Auburn people embrace their coach after the first win over hated Alabama.
And some doubters were won over that bone-chilling day that marked the end of Mike DuBose's career at the Capstone. But we all know the condition the Tide was in by that time, and though the SEC West crown was a sweet surprise, Auburn couldn't compete with Florida in the title tilt and got nudged by an average Michigan club in the Outback Bowl. A quartet of lack-luster wins and an embarrassing blowout at Syracuse later, here was Oct. 13, 2001. Tubs is actually friends with the guy. Plays golf with him, picks his brain, even trades barbs now and again.