Just one year after nearly being fired by Auburn, Tuberville led the No. 3 Tigers to an undefeated season, their first Southeastern Conference title since 1989 and a spot in the Sugar Bowl.
Not surprisingly, Tuberville was a unanimous choice as coach of the year on The Associated Press All-SEC team announced Tuesday.
``You just can't put into words how an undefeated season feels,'' he said. ``All the guys will look back on this season and think about where we started, how we played and how we finished up.''
Tuberville was hardly the lone representative from the conference's best team. Quarterback Jason Campbell was named offensive player of the year, one of six Tigers to make the first team.
Georgia's David Pollack was defensive player of the year for the second time, while South Carolina's Ko Simpson got the nod as freshman of the year.
Tuberville's path to another SEC coach of the year award (he also won with Mississippi in 1997) was actually quite bumpy. Last year, the Tigers were picked to contend for the national championship but wound up struggling to an 8-5 record.
Just days before Auburn played bitter rival Alabama, a contingent of top school officials made a clandestine trip to talk with Louisville coach Bobby Petrino about the possibility of replacing Tuberville.
When news of the interview leaked out, the backlash was so strong that the school's president quit, the athletic director announced his retirement and Tuberville kept his job.
``The players rallied around it,'' he said. ``They took it and ran and didn't look back.''
Despite losing several key defensive players, the Tigers cruised to the first 12-0 season in school history, capped by a 38-28 victory over Tennessee in the SEC championship game.
``It's a great tribute to Tommy and his staff that they were able to fight through it all,'' Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said.
The only disappointment: Auburn finished third in the BCS standings and won't get a chance to play for the national championship in the Jan. 4 Orange Bowl. One day before No. 1 Southern Cal and No. 2 Oklahoma meet in Miami, the Tigers will take on twice-beaten Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl.
``I feel we deserve a shot at the national championship,'' Campbell said. ``We've done what we were supposed to do.''
After an up-and-down career, Campbell blossomed under new offensive coordinator Al Borges. Running a version of the West Coast offense, the senior quarterback competed nearly 70 percent of his passes for 2,511 yards, 19 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
``He's overcome an incredible amount of adversity,'' Borges said. ``The first couple of years, he took a lot of mental and physical shots.''
Campbell set an SEC championship game record with 431 total yards (374 passing, 57 rushing), earning the MVP award.
``I haven't had this much fun in a long time,'' he said. ``I can be relaxed and comfortable because coach Borges says don't worry about making a mistake.''
Campbell was joined on the first team by five teammates: running back Carnell ``Cadillac'' Williams, offensive lineman Marcus McNeill, defensive tackle Tommy Jackson, cornerback Carlos Rogers and safety Junior Rosegreen.
Williams, who was second in the SEC with 1,104 yards rushing, actually made the first team at two positions. He was picked to the all-purpose slot after leading the conference in that category, also picking up 234 yards on punt returns, 150 on kickoff returns and 158 receiving.
Pollack was defensive player of the year for the second time in three years, following his breakthrough season in 2002. He considered turning pro after his junior season, but returned to lead the SEC with 9.5 sacks.
``It's a great honor to be chosen, especially considering all the great players in the SEC who are just as deserving,'' Pollack said, praising his teammates and coaches. ``I owe a lot to so many.''
Pollack was one of four Georgia players to make the first team, along with receiver Reggie Brown, safety Thomas Davis and tight end Leonard Pope.
Alabama also had four players on the first team, including offensive linemen Wesley Britt and Evan Mathis. Linebacker Cornelius Wortham and kicker Brian Bostick were the other Crimson Tide picks.
Tennessee, which overcame several key injuries to beat out favored Georgia for the SEC East title, was rewarded with three first-teamers: offensive lineman Mike Munoz, defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona and linebacker Kevin Burnett.
LSU was represented by center Ben Wilkerson, defensive end Marcus Spears and cornerback Corey Webster. Two Mississippi State players, defensive tackle Ronald Fields and punter Jared Cook, made the first team.
Florida running back Ciatrick Fason and Vanderbilt linebacker Moses Osemwegie rounded out the team.
Pollack and Webster made the team for the third year in a row, while Williams, Davis, Wilkerson and Spears were repeat selections.
Pollack, Spears and Britt were unanimous picks.
Simpson, the first Gamecock to be named conference freshman of the year (quarterback Steve Taneyhill was offensive freshman of the year in 1992), also was named to the all-SEC second team. His six interceptions tied him for third nationally and he always seemed to be around the ball and ready to make something special happen.
Three schools Mississippi, Kentucky and Arkansas didn't put anyone on the first team.
Ole Miss had a couple of second-teamers, offensive lineman Marcus Johnson and kicker Jonathan Nichols. Kentucky defensive back Muhammad Abdullah also made the second team. Arkansas was limited to a pair of honorable mentions: tight end Jared Hicks and offensive guard Gene Perry.
Three players Nichols, Tennessee punter Dustin Colquitt and Florida linebacker Channing Crowder dropped down to second team after being first-teamers a year ago.
The 72nd annual AP All-SEC team was picked by a regional media panel.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/12/145708