Pat Dye restored more than winning at Auburn. He restored pride of place among the Auburn people.
It's hard to sum it up better than ESPN Senior Writer Ivan Maisel did (above) in his story on Dye. The legendary Auburn football coach passed away Monday, and he leaves behind a legacy that includes 99 wins, four SEC championships and six bowl appearances as the head coach of the Tigers.
But there is so much more to Dye's legacy than just winning football games. He changed Auburn. And he continued to make an impact on student-athletes long after he coached his last game. Just look at the number of coaches and players, past and present, who paid tribute to Dye on Twitter following the news of his passing.
Here's a look at some of those tributes.
COACHES
Coach Dye, thank you for your leadership and friendship.
— Coach Gus Malzahn (@CoachGusMalzahn) June 1, 2020
You changed Auburn forever.
Rest In Peace. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/CZxcP7VUcl
Coach Dye! The one and only! Coach Dye wasn't even my coach and believed in me. His former players loved him. He hasn't coached in almost 30 yrs and our current players loved him. What a AUsome impact he made. We now say #AuburnMade but Coach Dye made Auburn! RIP! War Eagle! pic.twitter.com/8zUVBI513q
— Coach T-Will (@T_WILL4REAL) June 2, 2020
Coach Pat Dye, thank you for the wisdom, Auburn spirit, and courage. It was an honor to know you for who you were as a person. To the family, we are all praying for your loss. War Eagle 🦅 forvever coach Dye.
— Kodi Burns (@KodiBurns) June 1, 2020
Pat Dye's passing today is painful. He was a mans man and always had people's back! He was built different...All of his former players will tell you that. He was always straight up with me, even when the truth was painful. NOBODY loved Auburn more. You'll be missed Coach!
— Gene Chizik (@CoachGeneChizik) June 1, 2020
WDE!!
Saddened to hear the news today! As I went back and watched some of his locker room speeches, it was clear to see why he was so successful! He loved the game of football, his players and his passion was second to none! The college football family will miss Pat Dye; RIP Coach.
— Chip Lindsey (@CLindsey_TROY) June 1, 2020
Rest In Peace, Coach Pat Dye. A true Auburn Man. Thoughts and prayers are with his family.
— Rhett Lashlee (@rhettlashlee) June 1, 2020
CURRENT PLAYERS
Coach Dye was the definition of an Auburn man! He gave us so much wisdom as players and loved us all individually like we were his. Praying for his family during this tough time. We will miss you Coach! Forever and always, War Eagle! https://t.co/Zs6YdT1ZbK
— Bo Nix (@bo_nix10) June 1, 2020
This one hurts 😭😭. You meant so much to me coach, l always looked foward to our talks at practice and on Mondays. Man Im lost for words, praying for the family. https://t.co/YTBZKhNJKR
— Kj Britt (@K_Britt10) June 1, 2020
Fly High Coach Dye🦅 War Eagle Forever🙏🏽🙏🏽 https://t.co/VYFE1a444g
— Anthony Schwartz (@TheFlash) June 1, 2020
He definitely one of the reasons I came to Auburn! This one here hurts. Rest up coach!🦅💙💙 https://t.co/pxuEFg79CU
— BigKat Bryant (@BigkatB) June 1, 2020
Rest In Peace, Coach. You were loved by so many and you mean so much to Auburn. Your legacy lives on because of the great man you were and the lives you touched! #WarEagleForever https://t.co/tRngBkqgTD
— Nick Brahms (@Nick_Brahms) June 1, 2020
Rip coach Dye going to miss them talks at practice we used to always talk everytime you came out https://t.co/BWu6NUqwV4
— F R E A K Y (@V8Blazing) June 2, 2020
FORMER PLAYERS
Felt like I got my wind taken away from me upon hearing this news coach I won't ever forget all you did for me and this wisdom you gave me from our talks I hope you rest easy ❤️🤞🏾 https://t.co/iy0vfpjMlq
— Derrick Brown (@DerrickBrownAU5) June 1, 2020
RIP to Pat Dye! Enjoyed every moment he came to practice to spend his time with us man...will always appreciate every time i saw him and every word he spoke
— Kerryon Johnson (@AyeyoKEJO) June 1, 2020
Sending my condolences to Dye family. R.I.P to one of the greatest to ever do it. #CoachDye 🙏🏾
— Takeo Spikes, M.B.A (@TakeoSpikes51) June 1, 2020
Auburn icon gone: Legendary coach Pat Dye dies | Auburn University Sports | https://t.co/QNwNR4paJk https://t.co/6dh8rQEL0H
Condolences to the Pat Dye family. Coach was always supportive to me during my time at Auburn. I also got to know him personally away from football out on his property during an internship. Coach loved Auburn and Auburn loved him back! RIP coach!
— Jason Campbell (@JCam_17) June 2, 2020
Man 😔 Coach came to me after the LSU game in '18 and said "It's really heartwarming watching you play football!" To me, that was the highest of praise knowing the LEGEND he was! 🙏🏾 RIP Old Man 😇 You left your mark 💯 Forever grateful of our pre game and practice talks! 🐐🦅❤️ https://t.co/qxuHvWCyMQ
— ⭐️Deshaun Davis⭐ (@_Davis_Boy12) June 1, 2020
A true auburn man and a auburn legend i appreciate all the times you pulled me aside and gave nuggets of wisdom and positive affirmation you will forever be remembered RIP and War Eagle Coach 🙏🏾
— Darius Slayton (@Young_Slay2) June 1, 2020
Looking thru some old photos and found one of my favorites. Lost a great man yesterday. He worked us hard and loved us harder. Wanted you to be mentally and physically tough, but wanted you to be the best husband, father and citizen you could be. You'll be missed Coach Dye pic.twitter.com/avpBWGo3t2
— Stan White (@stanwhiteAU11) June 2, 2020
RIP Coach Dye. Enjoyed our many talks at practice. Rest easy
— carl lawson (@carllawson55) June 1, 2020
This one hit different no doubt 😭.. My thoughts and prayer to Dye family and the entire Auburn family🙏🏾🙏🏾. We'll miss you Coach🙏🏾✊🏾 https://t.co/H7clxAZLn0
— Prince Tega Jnr🇳🇬 (@tega441) June 1, 2020
Rest up old man. This one cut me to the core. You made auburn a special place. Will always hold a special place in my heart ❤️ https://t.co/nll5iFCFxq
— Marlon Davidson (@marlondavidson7) June 1, 2020
I will always cherish the memories I had w/ Coach Dye! As a player, coach or just fishing on his farm. I am thankful for having been able to listen to his words of wisdom. He taught me "you can coach em just as hard as you're willing to love em" He believed in Auburn, & LOVED it!
— Ryan Pugh (@CoachRyanPugh) June 1, 2020
Thank you Coach. You will live in the hearts of the Auburn family forever. We love you! pic.twitter.com/kMVWfmrcer
— Nosa (@NosaE94) June 2, 2020
"LEGENDS DONT DIE" 😥 pic.twitter.com/rlv6WT2EEp
— Trovon Reed (@TrovonReed) June 1, 2020
OTHER
@AuburnBaseball is going to miss this amazing Auburn man at practice. We love you Coach Dye. Thanks for investing in us. "May our COURAGE always be greater than our Fear." Prayers to the family #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/J6wMk0qeHQ
— Butch Thompson (@3strikes_AU) June 1, 2020
I just found out about the passing of my college football coach Pat Dye! What a great coach and a great person. His guidance on my future helped me to decide on pro baseball out of Auburn. Thanks for everything coach you were a true inspiration for me. #RIP Pat Dye War Eagle!!
— Frank Thomas (@TheBigHurt_35) June 1, 2020
Rest In Peace to Coach Pat Dye. Forever an Auburn Legend.
— Casey Mize (@Casey_Mize) June 1, 2020
Coach and AD Pat Dye hired me in 1990 to build the @AuburnSwimDive -The first thing I did was study his practices. Intensity, teaching, vision were all evident every day. A true Auburn man- you and your style of leadership will be missed 🙏 https://t.co/5aWI8ByYvJ
— David Marsh (@SwimCoachMarsh) June 2, 2020
If I had known then this would be the last game we would watch together and the last time we would chat, i would have said so much more! We won this one! #ripcoachdye ❤️ pic.twitter.com/tjKPDLN1Iy
— MichelleMcKenna (@nflcio) June 1, 2020
Thank you for everything. You turned a shy & angry young boy into the intelligent, sweet, & caring man I get to call 'Dad'. You taught so many young men at Auburn how to be a great football player & an even better human being. We love you with all our hearts coach. RIP 💙🧡 pic.twitter.com/Pd1LfA0kg8
— MJ 💕 (@mojax34) June 1, 2020