Class of 2026: ASHOF induction 'a dream come true' for Auburn trio

AUBURN, Ala. –  Flanked by his family, former Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell beamed while wearing the medal and holding the plaque that signified his induction into the Alabama Sports of Hall of Fame.

“Unbelievable, a dream come true,” said Campbell, the MVP of the 2004 SEC championship game and the 2005 Sugar Bowl. “It’s God’s blessings to have the talent and ability to achieve the things you dream of as a kid. To be in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, which is one of the best in the country – a lot of great legends have come through here. To have your name mentioned with those men and women, it’s a great opportunity and I’m thankful.”

One of three Auburn standouts in the Class of 2026, Campbell joined his head coach, Tommy Tuberville, and legendary women’s golf coach Kim Evans Saturday at the 58^th annual induction banquet and ceremony at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel.

The SEC Player of the Year in 2004, Campbell was drafted in the first round by Washington in 2005, embarking on a 10-year NFL career. Campbell joined 2004 Auburn backfield mates Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams, as well as their head coach, as Alabama Sports Hall of Famers.

“It’s something you accomplished together,” said Campbell, a familiar voice to fans in his role as analyst for the Auburn Sports Network. “You set out a dream to win a championship. When you first get to Auburn, that’s your ultimate goal. To walk out not only winning a championship but becoming one of the best college football teams of all time.

“It started from top to bottom. Coach, with his leadership, pushing us to work hard and challenge each other throughout those years, and all the coaches buying in, and the players holding each other accountable. We had a lot of closeness and uniqueness among that team where everyone was held to one accord and accountability.”

Tuberville recalled watching Campbell play high school basketball in Mississippi, where Jason's father was his coach growing up.

“He was one you knew was going to be a good player, not only because of his athletic ability but because of his discipline," Tuberville said. "His dad was hard-nosed, pushed him hard, and we’re glad he came our way. We’re proud of Jason for what he’s done and what he’s continued to do.”

Tuberville led Auburn to six consecutive Iron Bowl wins from 2002-07 and won five SEC Western Division titles. After the 13-0 season in 2004 and a Sugar Bowl victory over Virginia Tech, he received six coaching honors including SEC Coach of the Year and AP Coach of the Year.

“It’s touching,” said Tuberville, reminiscing about his humble coaching roots. “It comes down to work ethic, putting yourself around good people. This is recognition of the people you worked with, the players who played for you. It’s an honor to be recognized that we had some success. We were very fortunate to have good players and a lot of good coaches. This is a team award, because one person doesn’t win in football.”

Auburn’s head coach from 1999-2008, Tuberville amassed an 85-40 record during his decade on the Plains, highlighted by the longest Iron Bowl win streak in program history.

“We had a 10-year stretch at Auburn that was unbelievable,” Tuberville said. “Every fan in this state has to take a side. You feel the weight on your shoulders. When I first got to Auburn, I was told, ‘You will be judged on how you beat and participate against Alabama.’ I was told that by the people who hired me.

“I took it for what it was worth, we worked hard. Every day there was something talked about the Iron Bowl game. That’s what makes college football so unique. There’s no other sport like it because the fans make college sports. That’s the reason that game is a fan game.”

Evans, a native of Decatur, Alabama, played on Auburn’s women’s golf team from 1977-81, returning in 1994 as head coach. Over the next 21 seasons, Evans led the Tigers to eight SEC championships and coached seven SEC players of the year.

“Growing up in this the state, I’ve followed this and admired it my whole life,” Evans told reporters on the eve of her induction. “I’m honored to be here. Our teams had great runs but we had so much great support from our administration and the Auburn family as we played, practiced and tried so hard to win championships.”

A five-time SEC coach of the year, Evans was the national coach of the year in 2002 and was inducted into the National Golf Coaches Hall of Fame in 2008. A member of the SEC’s 2016 Class of Women’s Legends, Evans became the first woman to win Auburn’s Walter Gilbert Award in 2015.

“To get to know the student-athletes and their families, to be a part of their lives then and now, it’s been really rewarding to watch them grow and be great people,” she said.

Joining Evans, Campbell and Tuberville in the Class of 2026 were Jeff Brantley, John Copeland, Evan Mathis, Ray Odums and Les Stuedeman, bringing the total number of inductees to 417.

 Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer