Jordan, "Shug" (Ralph J.)
Football
b. Sept. 25, 1910, Selma, AL
d. July 17, 1980
Jordan got his nickname because he loved sugar cane as a child. He played baseball, basketball, and football at Auburn University, graduating in 1932. He began coaching basketball at the school in 1935 and had an 84-63 record before joining the Army in 1942.
He had a 7-9 record as Auburn basketball coach in the 1945-46 season and then became an assistant football coach with the All America Football Conference's Miami Seahawks. In 1947, Jordan became basketball coach at the University of Georgia, where his teams won 40 games and lost 35 in 3 seasons.
His alma mater hired him to coach football in 1951 and he spent 25 seasons there, compiling a 175-83 record. His 1957 team was undefeated in 10 games and won the national championship. However, the school was ineligible for post-season play because it was on probation for recruiting violations. Auburn did play in twelve bowl games during Jordan's tenure.
He retired after the 1975 season. He and his family then established the Shug Jordan Award, which is presented each year to the outstanding senior football player at Auburn. The school's football stadium is now also named for him.