Patrick Fain Dye (November 6, 1939 – June 1, 2020) was an American football player, coach, and college athletics administrator.
While playing for the Bulldogs from 1957 to 1960 under head coach Wally Butts, Dye was a first-team All-SEC lineman and two-time All-American (1959 and 1960).
The Atlanta Touchdown Club named him the SEC's Most Valuable Lineman in 1960 where he served as co-captain with friend and NFL Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton.
In an interview many years later, Dye revealed that the athletic administration at Wyoming failed to have him sign his contract when they hired him.
[citation needed] During Dye's interview for the head coaching job at Auburn, he was asked by a member of the search committee, "How long will it take you to beat Alabama?"
Dye was also Auburn's athletic director from 1981 to 1991, a perk Ralph "Shug" Jordan did not enjoy during his 25-year tenure (1951–75), which saw the stadium named in his honor.
They bounced back from an early season loss to Texas to win 10 consecutive games, including five over bowl teams.
The fallout from the investigation eventually led Dye to step down as Athletic Director in 1991, and as head coach the following year.
[citation needed] On November 19, 2005, the playing surface at Jordan–Hare Stadium at Auburn was named Pat Dye Field in the former coach's honor.
This was especially appropriate since Dye led the Tigers to a 30–20 victory over the Tide on December 2, 1989, in the first installment of the Iron Bowl, to be played at Auburn after 41 consecutive meetings at Legion Field in Birmingham.
The permanent move of Auburn's home games against Alabama to Jordan–Hare Stadium is considered one of Dye's most important achievements as AU's Athletic Director.
Many activities on his farm are made available to the public, including horse boarding and trail rides, quail hunts, and garden tours.