Ten years. It’s a long time.

Especially if you’re a college football coach.

For guys in this line of work, 10 years is a lifetime. It’s like dog years. For every year as a head coach, you age seven. Some would probably argue it’s more like eight or nine.

It’s a tough business. Really tough. And to stay at one school for any length of time takes a lot of talent, support, success and a whole lot of luck.

First, you arrive. Then, you survive.

Ask Tommy Tuberville. He’s been through about as much as one head coach can in his time at Auburn, and is still here.

Who would have thunk it?

Not many.

But here he is, ready to kick off his 10th season as the head coach of the Auburn Tigers.

And, oh, what a long, strange trip it’s been. It started with a pine box, caught a flight on a private jet and even had time to go hunting.

But he’s still here. Right where he says he wants to be.

“It is a long time at one school, but I am proud I made it,” Tuberville said. “… We have made a lot of progress. There have been a couple of ups and downs. There have been a couple of years that I wish we could get a couple of plays back. But the program is in good shape.”

And so is Tuberville. Not just financially — in December, he signed a contract extension that will pay him an average of $3.3 million per year through 2013 — but also
professionally.

Tuberville is widely regarded as one of the nation’s best coaches. You can’t argue with his record since arriving on the Plains — 80-30 (.708 winning percentage). Over the last eight seasons, Tuberville’s Tigers have a 75-27 (.735) record, which is the 11th-best overall in that time period. Also, Auburn’s tied with LSU for the best record in the SEC since 2000 at 47-17 (.734).

Oh, and then there was a little year called 2004. You remember what happened then, right? How could you forget? It’s about as fresh as that cup of coffee you’re drinking right now.

Tuberville has likened the daily grind of college football coaching to Bill Murray’s movie “Groundhog Day.”

It’s the same thing, over and over again for coaches. Practice, film, recruiting, meetings, speaking engagements, practice, film, recruiting, meetings, speaking engagements, practice, film ... you get the picture.

But, really, Tuberville’s time in Auburn has been anything but monotonous. It hasn’t just been one roller coaster ride, but about 10 — every year bringing new dips, twists and turns.

And this year is no different, with the addition of offensive coordinator Tony Franklin and his spread offense.

Tuberville has had to do some major adjusting this offseason, trying to get away from the “run, kick and play defense” philosophy that he’s had for all these years and embracing the “throw it till you break it” style of play.

“I had to change,” Tuberville said of the offense. “I had to change my personality and coaching style pretty much overnight.”

We’ll see just how much today and as the season progresses.

But the fact he’s willing to try shows how much Tuberville understands the game — both on the field and off.

It’s why Tuberville’s been at Auburn this long. It’s why he remains. And thrives.

“I’m excited to have been here for 10 years,” Tuberville said. “I hope I can make it 10 more, and I think we’re going to be even stronger as we go.”

MIKE SZVETITZ is sports editor of the Opelika-Auburn News. He may be reached at or 737-2513.