Pat Dye, the revered Auburn University football coach, has been hospitalized with kidney issues and has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to his family.
An email from Toccoa United Methodist Church in Toccoa, Georgia, requested prayer for Dye, 80, on behalf of his sister, Jayne Snell.
“Please join us in praying for and lifting up Jayne Snell’s brother, Pat Dye,” the email read. “Jayne says he is very weak, and is experiencing loss of appetite and confusion.”
ESPN published a statement from Dye’s son, Pat Dye Jr., an NFL agent on May 21, who said his father is “asymptomatic” for the coronavirus.
“As has previously been reported, my dad has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus,” Dye Jr. told ESPN. “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 was the head football coach at Auburn from 1981–1992. Under his leadership, Auburn went 99-39-4 over 12 seasons. Auburn won the SEC in 1983, 1987, 1988 and 1989. He also received SEC coach of the year honors in 1983, 1987 and 1988.
Along with being a head coach, Dye served as Auburn’s athletic director from 1981–1991.
The field at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium was named “Pat Dye Field” in Dye’s honor on Nov. 19, 2005. Auburn won that 2005 Iron Bowl 28-18.
Dye was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2005.
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