Written by Lane Comeaux
Texas Tech football coach Tommy Tuberville will speak at Harding University on Thursday, Feb. 17.
Many in the Searcy community and Harding student body will be familiar with Tuberville’s coaching career, which spans 30 years. He served on the University of Miami’s staff from 1986-1994, at the program’s height, during which they won three national championships. In 1994 Tuberville took a job as Texas A&M University’s defensive coordinator. He received his first head coaching opportunity in 1995 at the University of Mississippi, winning the Associated Press Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year in 1997.
Tuberville left Ole Miss following the 1998 season to take the head-coaching job at Auburn University. He was very successful in his tenure, leading the team to eight consecutive bowl births and an SEC championship in 2004.
During his 10-year run at Auburn, which ended in 2008, Tuberville coached 34 All-Conference players and eight All-Americans. Following an undefeated 2004 season, 19 players coached by Tuberville were selected in the NFL Draft, including four first-round picks. Tuberville coached the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2010 season and received a contract extension and raise at the end of the year.
Throughout his career, Tuberville has been named Coach of the Year for the American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press, Paul “Bear” Bryant, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Walter Camp.
The American Studies Institute is bringing Tuberville to campus as part of its speaker series that has included, Ben Stein, George W. Bush, Truett Cathy and Sam Walton.
“I am very excited to have Tommy Tuberville speak to us next week,” student vice president Janet Orgain said. “His success in coaching and leadership will surely make him a dynamic, informative and entertaining speaker.”
Besides coaching, Tuberville was an analyst for ESPN and Buster Sports, mainly discussing the Southeastern Conference and the Top 25 of college football, and he made a cameo appearance in “The Blind Side.” Tuberville has said to be very involved in Churches of Christ throughout his life and coaching career. He has personally baptized several of his players.
Tuberville sponsors charity golf tournaments, is director for Morale Entertainment, which provides NCAA tours for United States Service Members, hunts and is involved in equine therapy. Before starting his coaching career, Tuberville, a Camden, Ark. native, played safety at Southern Arkansas University, in Magnolia. Tuberville is married to Suzanne and has two sons, Tucker and Troy.
