It was a long and eventful year for Auburn athletics. Sometimes labeling the year as a success or failure is the way to go, but a season of Auburn athletics can rarely be classified as that, so eventful just seems right. But what were some of the biggest stories for the Tigers during 2022, and could there be more of the same in 2023?
Auburn Basketball sets record for regular season victories and wins SEC Championship
With a roster rebuilt behind transfers like Wendell Green, Jr., K.D. Johnson, and Walker Kessler, along with one of Auburn's highest-rated recruits ever in Jabari Smith, the Tigers won 22 of their first 23 games on their way to a 27-5 record, an SEC regular season championship and another NCAA Tournament berth. Auburn's season was ultimately cut short in a second-round loss to Miami, but it was a big turnaround for Auburn heading into 2023.
The Bryan Harsin Inquiry
The story of Auburn athletics in 2022 and the story of the Bryan Harsin 'era' cannot be told without mentioning the inquiry that occurred in February 2022. As rumors ran rampant, the university looked into the reports and tried to "separate fact from fiction." In the end, eight days after the inquiry began, Auburn University President Jay Gogue announced that Harsin was staying since the investigation "did not yield information that should change the status of our coaching staff or football program."
Auburn Gymnastics makes the Final Four
Suni Lee's arrival immediately changed the landscape of Auburn Gymnastics, with the program earning its highest ticket sales of all time. While many people predicted Lee's impact on ticket sales, she also played a vital role in Auburn having its most successful season ever. With scoring records for home and road meets and new records on each event, Auburn earned its highest SEC Championship meet finish (third) since the eight-team format was introduced and made the Final Four for the first time ever.
Auburn Baseball makes second College World Series in four years
Under head coach Butch Thompson and behind the bat of Sonny Diachara, Auburn baseball went 43-22, its best record since 1999, and 16-13 in SEC play. That was Auburn's fourth winning record in conference play since 2004 and its third since Butch Thompson was hired. Auburn rode a 37-18 regular season record into a successful postseason, hosting a regional for the first time since 2010, winning its second road super regional in the last three tournaments and earning its first College World Series win since 1997.
Cadillac takes over, revives program
When Auburn ultimately fired Bryan Harsin following a lopsided loss to Arkansas at home, the program turned to Carnell "Cadillac" Williams to be the interim coach. An Auburn great on the field, Williams forever cemented his legacy as an Auburn legend, going 2-2 in Auburn's final four games and bringing a new level of enthusiasm and honesty around the program. When Auburn hired Hugh Freeze as the next head coach, keeping Cadillac was Freeze's first move.
Auburn Volleyball exceeds expectations with second NCAA Tournament berth in program history
Brent Crouch had one of the youngest teams in NCAA volleyball with no seniors, two juniors, two sophomores and eight freshmen, but that did not stop the team from making history. A 14-0 start, including 3-0 in SEC play, was the best start in program history, and the team did not look back, finishing the year with its first winning record since 2017. The 22 total wins were the most for the program in the rally-scoring era, and the Tigers' win over No. 14 Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament was their second NCAA Tournament victory ever.
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