What’s New: Auburn Claims 9 Football National Championships
- Auburn University has officially expanded its recognized football national championships from two to nine. Previously, only the AP titles from 1957 and 2010 were acknowledged, both already prominently displayed and celebrated.
- The seven newly claimed titles are from the years:
- 1910
- 1913
- 1914
- 1958
- 1983
- 1993
- 2004
- Auburn’s leadership—via Athletic Director John Cohen—indicated this shift aligns with the NCAA Football Record Book and comparable peer programs:
“Our visible National Championship recognitions now align with the well-established standard used by the NCAA’s official record book and our peers across the nation.”
- Changes are already underway—stadium signage at Jordan-Hare Stadium is being updated to reflect nine national titles, and the university plans to honor the newly recognized championship teams throughout the 2025 season.
NCAA Recognition vs. Auburn’s Claim
There’s a distinction between what the NCAA Record Book recognizes and what Auburn now officially claims:
| Year | NCAA-recognized (major selectors) | Previously claimed by Auburn | Newly claimed in 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | Yes | No | Yes |
| 1913 | Yes (Billingsley) | No | Yes |
| 1914 | Yes (Howell’s) | No | Yes |
| 1957 | Yes (AP) | Yes | — |
| 1958 | Yes (Montgomery Full Season) | No | Yes |
| 1983 | Yes (Billingsley, NYT etc.) | No | Yes |
| 1993 | Yes (National Championship Foundation) | No | Yes |
| 2004 | Yes (Darryl Perry / GBE Ratings) | No (except media guide) | Yes |
| 2010 | Yes (BCS, AP, etc.) | Yes | — |
So, six of Auburn’s new claims were already acknowledged by NCAA-designated selectors, while the additional three (1914, 1958, 2004) are backed by other recognized rating systems.
Why It Matters
- Boosted prestige: Claiming nine championships strengthens Auburn’s historical standing among major college football powers—especially in comparisons with rivals like Alabama.
- Recruiting impact: As one commentator noted, it’s a powerful narrative to show recruits—“seven championships on the wall vs. three.”
- Debate stirred: Some observers argue the addition is overreaching, noting that the NCAA’s own official history lists only two recognized titles—1957 and 2010.
Bottom Line
Auburn’s football legacy just got a major upgrade—with four additional titles backed by NCAA-approved selectors and three more supported by credible rating systems. This puts the Tigers’ new total at nine national championships, aligning their record with broader collegiate standards rather than limiting recognition to consensus polls.
Let me know if you want a deep dive into how each seasons’ championship was justified or how this stacks up against other programs’ historical claims!
