Former Auburn head coach Terry Bowden led the Tigers during a vastly different era. His six-year tenure was brief compared to the long reigns of Pat Dye and Ralph Jordan, but he remains grateful for the memories he made on the Plains.
Reflecting on Auburn’s evolution, Bowden acknowledged the changes while expressing appreciation for his time at the school.
“I’m thankful Auburn gave me a chance,” Bowden told 247 Sports. “I’m grateful for the players, the coaches, and the moments we shared. I wish things had ended differently, but I have so many great memories—there’s no point in focusing on anything else.
“My kids grew up there, and I miss that as much as I miss Auburn. I hardly recognize the place now—it’s grown so much. But the memories will always be there.
“If there’s a time in my life that defines me, it was 1993. That was a special year, and I’ll always be proud of what we accomplished at Auburn.”
Auburn’s transformation extends beyond the football field. The city skyline now features towering buildings, a Hilton hotel on Magnolia Avenue, and The Graduate’s rooftop bar offering sweeping views of Jordan-Hare Stadium and Samford Hall.
The football program has also changed. In the post-Gus Malzahn era, the challenges coaches face look different from those of past regimes.
Yet, if the Tigers return to their winning ways, the sweeping changes may feel less polarizing—or, to some, less unsettling.
