Tommy Tuberville is a US Senator from Alabama who has held office since 2021. Prior to his career in politics, Tuberville had a long and successful career as a college football coach. He served as the head coach at Auburn University, the University of Mississippi, Texas Tech University, and the University of Cincinnati.
September 18, 1954: Birth of Tommy Tuberville
Tommy Tuberville was born on September 18, 1954, in Camden, Arkansas.
1972: Tuberville Graduates High School
Tommy Tuberville graduated from Harmony Grove High School in Camden, Arkansas, in 1972.
December 19, 1976: Tuberville Marries Vicki Lynn Harris
On December 19, 1976, Tommy Tuberville married Vicki Lynn Harris, a fellow graduate of Harmony Grove High School in Camden, Arkansas. The couple eventually divorced.
1976: Tuberville Earns Degree from Southern State College
Tommy Tuberville earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from Southern State College (now Southern Arkansas University) in 1976.
1982: Auburn Breaks Alabama's Winning Streak
In 1982, Auburn ended Alabama's nine-year winning streak in their football rivalry, marking a significant moment in the rivalry's history.
1986: Tuberville's Tenure at University of Miami Begins
Tommy Tuberville joined the coaching staff at the University of Miami in 1986, marking the beginning of a successful period.
1991: Tuberville Marries Suzanne Fette
In 1991, Tommy Tuberville married Suzanne Fette, originally from Guilford, Indiana. They have two sons together.
1993: Tuberville Becomes Defensive Coordinator at University of Miami
Tommy Tuberville rose through the coaching ranks at the University of Miami, ultimately becoming the defensive coordinator in 1993.
1994: Tuberville Becomes Defensive Coordinator at Texas A&M University
Tommy Tuberville took on the role of defensive coordinator at Texas A&M University in 1994, replacing Bob Davie under head coach R.C. Slocum.
1994: Tuberville Lands First Head Coaching Job
Tommy Tuberville's first collegiate head coaching position began in 1994 at the University of Mississippi.
1995: Tuberville's Coaching Stint at University of Mississippi Begins
Tommy Tuberville's time as head football coach at the University of Mississippi began in 1995.
1997: Tuberville Named SEC Coach of the Year
Tommy Tuberville was recognized for his coaching prowess in 1997 when he was named the SEC Coach of the Year by the Associated Press.
1998: Tuberville Leaves Ole Miss for Auburn
Despite stating his intention to stay at Ole Miss, Tommy Tuberville accepted the head coaching position at Auburn University after the 1998 season.
1998: Tuberville's Time at University of Mississippi Ends
Tommy Tuberville concluded his role as head football coach at the University of Mississippi in 1998.
1998: Tuberville Takes Helm at Auburn
Tommy Tuberville officially began his tenure as the head football coach at Auburn University in 1998.
1999: Tuberville Starts Coaching at Auburn University
In 1999, Tommy Tuberville became the head football coach at Auburn University.
1999: Clifton Robinson Case
Wide receiver Clifton Robinson, a player under Tuberville at Auburn, was charged with statutory rape of a minor in 1999. While Robinson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge, Tuberville's handling of the situation, including allowing Robinson back on the team after a suspension, sparked controversy.
2001: Auburn Suffers Upset Loss to Alabama
In a surprising turn of events in 2001, Tommy Tuberville's Auburn team experienced a significant upset, losing by 24 points to an Alabama team that had a 4-5 record.
2003: "JetGate" Controversy
During the 2003 season, Auburn's athletic department's secret meeting with Louisville coach Bobby Petrino as a potential replacement for Tuberville, known as "JetGate," created a controversy and put Tuberville's job security in question.
2004: Tuberville Leads Auburn to SEC Championship
Under Tommy Tuberville's leadership, the Auburn Tigers achieved a significant milestone in 2004 by winning the SEC championship.
2004: Tuberville Honored with Coach of the Year Awards
Tommy Tuberville's exceptional coaching in 2004, leading Auburn to an undefeated season, earned him several Coach of the Year awards, including recognition from the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
2004: Auburn's Starting Backfield Drafted to NFL
In 2004, the entire starting backfield of the Auburn Tigers football team, coached by Tommy Tuberville, was selected in the first round of the NFL draft, highlighting the team's talent and Tuberville's coaching.
2004: Tuberville Receives Numerous Coaching Awards
Following Auburn's undefeated season in 2004, including an SEC championship and a Sugar Bowl victory, Tommy Tuberville was honored with five national Coach of the Year awards.
2004: Four of Tuberville's Players Drafted in First Round
In the 2004 NFL draft, four players coached by Tommy Tuberville at Auburn were selected in the first round, a testament to his ability to develop NFL-caliber talent.
2004: Tuberville Excels in Big Games
From the start of the 2004 season, Tommy Tuberville established a reputation as a strong big-game coach, winning 9 out of his last 15 games against top-10 ranked opponents.
2005: Tuberville Leads Auburn to Winning Season
Despite losing key players from the previous year, Tommy Tuberville guided Auburn to a 9-3 record in 2005, including victories over rivals Georgia and Alabama.
2006: Auburn Defeats Top-Ranked Teams
Tommy Tuberville's Auburn Tigers showcased their strength in 2006 by defeating two top-5 ranked teams that went on to compete in BCS bowls, including the eventual BCS Champion Florida.
2007: Tuberville Achieves 100th Career Win
Tommy Tuberville reached a significant milestone in his coaching career in 2007 by securing his 100th career win.
October 8, 2008: Tuberville Fires Offensive Coordinator
On October 8, 2008, Tommy Tuberville fired offensive coordinator Tony Franklin. This decision came during a challenging season for Tuberville at Auburn.
2008: Tuberville Inducted into Sports Halls of Fame
In recognition of his contributions to football and sports, Tommy Tuberville was inducted into both the Southern Arkansas University Sports Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
2008: Tuberville's Tenure at Auburn Ends
Tommy Tuberville's time as head football coach at Auburn University ended in 2008.
December 31, 2009: Tuberville's Interest in Texas Tech
On December 31, 2009, Tommy Tuberville expressed interest in becoming the head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders after the firing of Mike Leach.
2009: Tuberville as Analyst and Cameo Actor
In 2009, after leaving Auburn, Tommy Tuberville worked as an analyst for Buster Sports and ESPN, discussing the SEC and Top 25 teams. He also made a cameo appearance in the Academy Award-winning film The Blind Side.
January 9, 2010: Tuberville Named Texas Tech Head Coach
On January 9, 2010, Tommy Tuberville was named the head coach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He was introduced at a press conference the following day.
2010: Tuberville's Coaching Journey at Texas Tech Begins
Tommy Tuberville's tenure as head football coach at Texas Tech University started in 2010.
January 1, 2011: Bowl Game Victory
On January 1, 2011, Tuberville became the second head coach in Texas Tech football history to win a bowl game in his first season, achieving a 45-38 victory over Northwestern in the TicketCity Bowl.
January 18, 2011: Contract Extension and Raise
On January 18, 2011, Texas Tech announced that Tuberville received a one-year contract extension and a $500,000 per year raise, bringing his salary to $2 million through the 2015 season.
2011: Tuberville Loses Investment in GLC Enterprises Ponzi Scheme
In 2011, GLC Enterprises, a company in which Tommy Tuberville had invested $1.9 million, was exposed as an $80 million Ponzi scheme by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Tuberville lost approximately $150,000 when the fraudulent business collapsed.
February 2012: Investors Sue Tuberville
In February 2012, seven investors sued Tuberville and his business partner John David Stroud, alleging they were defrauded of over $1.7 million invested from 2008 to 2011. Tuberville's attorneys denied the allegations.
May 2012: Stroud Indicted for Fraud
In May 2012, Tuberville's business partner John David Stroud was indicted for the fraudulent use of $5.2 million from Auburn investment companies. Tuberville was not charged, claiming he was also a victim, having lost $450,000.
November 10, 2012: Incident with Graduate Assistant
On November 10, 2012, during a game against Kansas, Tuberville yanked the hat and headset off his graduate assistant Kevin Oliver. Tuberville apologized two days later, and Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby publicly reprimanded him for unsportsmanlike conduct.
December 8, 2012: Resignation from Texas Tech
On December 8, 2012, Tuberville resigned as head coach at Texas Tech to become the head coach at the University of Cincinnati, signing a $2.2 million contract.
2012: Tuberville's Time at Texas Tech Ends
In 2012, Tommy Tuberville finished his time as head football coach at Texas Tech University.
October 2013: Settlement of Investor Lawsuit
In October 2013, Tuberville settled a lawsuit with investors who alleged they were defrauded by his firm. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
November 2013: Stroud Pleads Guilty
In November 2013, Tuberville's former business partner John David Stroud pleaded guilty to fraud and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
2013: Tuberville Starts Coaching at University of Cincinnati
Tommy Tuberville's role as head football coach at the University of Cincinnati commenced in 2013.
2013: First Season with Cincinnati
In 2013, Tuberville led the Cincinnati Bearcats to a 9-4 overall record and a 6-2 conference record in his first season as head coach.
2014: Foundation Establishment
In 2014, Tommy Tuberville founded the Tommy Tuberville Foundation, aimed at supporting military veterans, health issues, and education initiatives.
2014: Co-championship with Cincinnati
In 2014, Tuberville's Cincinnati team achieved a 9-4 overall record and earned an American Athletic Conference co-championship with a 7-1 league mark.
2015: Tuberville Leads American Football Coaches Association
Tommy Tuberville served as the president of the American Football Coaches Association in 2015.
December 4, 2016: Resignation from Cincinnati
On December 4, 2016, after a 4-8 season, Tuberville resigned as head coach of Cincinnati, ending his tenure with a 29-22 overall record and 18-14 in AAC conference play.
2016: Sessions Recuses Himself, Sparking Trump's Anger
In 2016, then-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions made the significant decision to recuse himself from the investigation into Russian interference in the U.S. elections, a move that would later draw sharp criticism and anger from Donald Trump.
2016: Tuberville's Tenure at University of Cincinnati Concludes
Tommy Tuberville's time as head football coach at the University of Cincinnati concluded in 2016.
2017: Tuberville Joins ESPN as Color Analyst
In 2017, Tommy Tuberville transitioned to a broadcasting role, working as a color analyst for ESPN's college football coverage.
August 2018: Move to Alabama for Senate Run
In August 2018, Tuberville moved from Florida to Alabama with the intention to run for the U.S. Senate in 2020, closely aligning with President Donald Trump.
April 2019: Announces Senate Candidacy
In April 2019, Tuberville announced his candidacy for the 2020 Republican primary for the Senate seat held by Democrat Doug Jones.
March 3, 2020: Republican Primary Runoff
On March 3, 2020, Tommy Tuberville received 33.4% of the vote in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate, leading to a runoff election against former Senator Jeff Sessions.
May 2020: Trump Calls Sessions "Slime"
In May 2020, Donald Trump publicly criticized former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, labeling him "slime" for his decision to recuse himself from the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
October 2020: Pentagon Report Highlights White Supremacist Infiltration
In October 2020, a Pentagon report raised alarms about the increasing infiltration of white supremacist ideologies within the U.S. military, underscoring a growing concern among military leadership and prompting calls for action to address the issue.
November 26, 2020: Tuberville Appoints Stephen Boyd as Chief of Staff
On November 26, 2020, Tommy Tuberville named Stephen Boyd, the outgoing Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs, as his chief of staff.
2020: Foundation Criticized
In 2020, the Associated Press criticized the Tuberville Foundation for raising money but giving very little away, spending only 18% of funds on charitable causes, far below the recommended 65%.
2020: The 2020 Presidential Election and Its Aftermath
The 2020 U.S. presidential election, which saw Joe Biden defeat incumbent Donald Trump, was marked by unprecedented attempts to overturn the results, fueled by unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud.
2020: Tuberville Wins Senate Election
Tommy Tuberville won his first political campaign in 2020, securing the Republican nomination and defeating Democratic incumbent Doug Jones in the Alabama Senate election.
2020: Bookkeeping Issues
In 2020, The New York Times reported bookkeeping issues within the Tuberville Foundation, revealing discrepancies in revenue records for 2018.
January 2021: Tuberville Joins Effort to Overturn Election Results
Upon taking office in January 2021, Tuberville aligned himself with a group of Republican senators who sought to challenge the counting of electoral votes for Joe Biden, the declared winner of the 2020 presidential election. This action was part of a broader attempt by Trump and his supporters to invalidate the election outcome.
May 28, 2021: Tuberville Votes Against January 6th Commission
On May 28, 2021, Tuberville voted against the formation of an independent commission tasked with investigating the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.
2021: Tuberville Becomes U.S. Senator
Tommy Tuberville began his tenure as the senior United States senator from Alabama in 2021.
2021: Tuberville's Alleged STOCK Act Violations
In 2021, Tuberville reportedly violated the STOCK Act, which regulates stock trading by members of Congress, 132 times, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
2021: Foundation's Revenue and Expenses
In 2021, the Washington Post reported the Tuberville Foundation had $74,101 in revenue but spent only 12% on charitable causes, with significant administrative costs.
February 2022: Tuberville Dismisses Stock Trading Ban Proposals
In February 2022, Tuberville dismissed as "ridiculous" proposals to restrict lawmakers from trading stocks, despite reports of his own potential violations of the STOCK Act.
May 2022: Tuberville Introduces Cryptocurrency Retirement Bill
In May 2022, Tuberville put forth the Financial Freedom Act of 2022, aiming to allow the inclusion of cryptocurrency in Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).
June 2022: Tuberville Celebrates the Overturning of Roe v. Wade
Following the Supreme Court's historic decision in June 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade, Tuberville expressed his support, hailing it as a "victory for life."
October 8, 2022: Tuberville's Remarks Spark Controversy
On October 8, 2022, during a Trump rally in Nevada, Tuberville made controversial statements, claiming Democrats were "pro-crime," aimed to seize personal assets, and supported reparations for criminals. These remarks drew widespread condemnation, with organizations like the NAACP denouncing them as racist and deeply offensive.
December 2022: Tuberville Threatens to Block Military Promotions Over Abortion Policy
In December 2022, Tuberville threatened to stall all military promotions in protest of a planned Pentagon policy granting leave and travel cost reimbursements to pregnant service members seeking abortions in states where it remained legal. This move came after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, leaving abortion rights to be decided by individual states.
2022: Tuberville Opposes Same-Sex Marriage Legislation
In 2022, Tuberville expressed his opposition to the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation aimed at federally recognizing same-sex marriage. He argued against the necessity of such a law while stating his belief in personal freedom. Despite his stance, the bill passed and was signed into law.
February 1, 2023: Tuberville Announces Committee Assignments for 118th Congress
On February 1, 2023, Tuberville made an announcement regarding his committee assignments for the 118th Congress.
February 2023: Tuberville Co-Sponsors Bill Restricting Transgender Military Service
In February 2023, Tuberville showed his support for a bill that would impose significant limitations on the ability of individuals with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria to serve in the U.S. military.
February 2023: Tuberville Carries Out Threat, Stalling Military Promotions
In February 2023, following through on his earlier threat, Tuberville initiated a hold on all "civilian, flag, and general officer nominations" within the Department of Defense. He justified this action as a response to the implementation of a policy that he deemed an "illegal expansion of DoD authority and gross misuse of taxpayer dollars" by providing support for abortions.
March 2023: Tuberville Reintroduces Bill Banning Transgender Athletes in Women's Sports
In March 2023, Tuberville reintroduced a bill that would prohibit transgender girls and women from participating in female sports at public schools. The bill, which garnered support from 19 Republican co-sponsors, defines gender solely based on biological sex at birth.
March 25, 2023: Tuberville Criticizes Nonbinary Sailor, Draws Rebuke from Navy Chief
On March 25, 2023, Tuberville publicly criticized a video featuring Lieutenant Junior Grade Audrey Knutson, a nonbinary sailor, reciting a poem during a spoken-word event on the USS Gerald R. Ford. The video, posted by the U.S. Navy on Instagram, went viral and drew Tuberville's ire. Admiral Mike Gilday, the Navy's chief of operations, defended Knutson, expressing pride in the sailor's service and emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in the military.
May 10, 2023: Tuberville's Remarks on White Nationalists in the Military Draw Criticism
On May 10, 2023, Tuberville sparked controversy when asked about white nationalists in the military during a radio interview. He appeared to downplay the issue, stating that he considered them "Americans." His staff later clarified that he was questioning the extent of white nationalism in the military rather than endorsing it. However, his comments drew sharp criticism, particularly in light of concerns raised by military leaders and reports about the growing presence of white supremacist ideologies within the ranks.
June 2023: New Hampshire Resident Arrested for Threats Related to Tuberville's Hold on Military Promotions
In June 2023, an unnamed resident of New Hampshire was arrested and charged with threatening to assault, kidnap, or murder a member of Congress. Although the charging documents did not specifically name Tuberville as the intended target, they did link the charges to his ongoing hold on military promotions in 2023.
July 2023: Tuberville's Stance on White Nationalism Sparks Backlash, Forces Reversal
In July 2023, Tuberville faced intense backlash and criticism from both Democrats and Republicans when he refused to acknowledge the inherent racism of white nationalism. During an interview, he downplayed the ideology, describing it as an "opinion" and denying that white nationalists are inherently racist. A day later, amidst mounting pressure, Tuberville reversed his stance, stating unequivocally that "white nationalists are racist."
July 2023: Foundation Under Audit
In July 2023, a spokesperson for Tuberville stated that the foundation had been under audit and had paused its activities, with plans to reform it.
August 2023: Tuberville's Residency in Florida Questioned
In August 2023, The Washington Post published a report raising questions about Tuberville's residency. Despite his office's claims of residing in Auburn, Alabama, campaign finance records and property records suggested that Tuberville had been living in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, for nearly two decades. This raised concerns because the US Constitution mandates that senators must reside in the state they represent, though it doesn't specify a minimum duration. However, Alabama only requires a one-day residency for candidacy.
October 2023: Tuberville Reports Michael Hayden to Capitol Police over Social Media Comment
In October 2023, retired Air Force General and former CIA Director Michael Hayden responded to a social media post inquiring whether Tuberville should be removed from his committee assignments with the comment, "How about the human race?" While some interpreted this as a call for Tuberville's assassination, Hayden clarified that he meant Tuberville should not be considered human. Nevertheless, Tuberville filed a report with the US Capitol Police, alleging that Hayden had called for his "politically motivated assassination."
December 5, 2023: Tuberville Partially Lifts Hold on Military Promotions
On December 5, 2023, Tuberville partially relented, lifting his hold on a significant portion of the military promotions that had been stalled for a week. This allowed the Senate to proceed with 425 promotions. However, he maintained his hold on 11 nominations for top-ranking four-star general and admiral positions.
December 2023: Tuberville Blocks Military Promotions
From February to December 2023, Tommy Tuberville engaged in a protest against Defense Department abortion policies by blocking all promotions of senior officers in the U.S. military.
December 24, 2023: Tuberville Targeted in Doxing and Swatting Incident
On December 24, 2023, Tommy Tuberville, along with several other prominent activists and politicians, became the victim of a doxing and swatting attack. Doxing involves publicly revealing someone's private information, while swatting is the act of making a false report to emergency services to provoke a dangerous police response at the victim's location.
2023: Tuberville Becomes Senior Senator from Alabama
Tommy Tuberville assumed the role of Alabama's senior senator in 2023 following the retirement of Senator Richard Shelby.
2023: Tuberville Opposes Fiscal Responsibility Act
In 2023, Tuberville voiced his opposition to the Fiscal Responsibility Act, arguing that it fell short of addressing the need for budget reform.
March 29, 2024: Tuberville Labels Democratic Party a "Satanic Cult"
On March 29, 2024, Tuberville sparked controversy by referring to the Democratic Party as a "Satanic cult." His comment, made on Twitter, was in response to a New York Post article about the White House Easter Egg art contest's ban on religious themes. This incident coincided with a wave of criticism from right-wing figures following President Biden's public acknowledgment of International Transgender Day of Visibility, which fell on the same day as Easter that year.