Former Auburn coach and athletics director Pat Dye has tested positive for coronavirus and is hospitalized in Atlanta for kidney-related issues, his son confirmed to ESPN on Thursday.
Dye, 80, has been asymptomatic for coronavirus, according to his son, Pat Dye Jr., an NFL agent.
“As has previously been reported, my dad has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus,” Dye Jr. told ESPN in a statement on Thursday. “However, his positive test occurred a number of days ago during a routine precautionary test pursuant to his hospitalization for kidney-related issues.
“He has essentially been asymptomatic for the virus and is resting comfortably. We fully anticipate his release from the hospital in the next few days once his kidney function is stable. On behalf of my family, I want to thank everyone for the overwhelming support for Dad and our family upon the reporting of this news.”
Dye guided the Tigers to a 99-39-4 record in 12 seasons from 1981-92, winning at least a share of SEC championships in 1983, ’87, ’88 and ’89. His teams won 10 games in a season four times and bowl games six times.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2005, the same year the playing field at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium was named in his honor.
Dye was a three-time SEC coach of the year and 1983 national coach of the year. He coached a Heisman Trophy winner (Bo Jackson, 1985), an Outland and Lombardi Trophy winner (Tracy Rocker, 1988) and had 21 All-Americans, 71 All-SEC players and 48 academic All-SEC players.
Dye was Auburn’s athletics director from 1981-91. He had been spending much of his time at his farm in Notasulga, Alabama.
He also coached at East Carolina from 1974-79 and Wyoming in 1980 and had a 153-62-5 record in 19 seasons overall.