Former Auburn Baseball Coach Paul Nix Dies

The Birmingham News, April 13, 2009
By Charles Goldberg

Paul Nix, who coached the Auburn baseball team for 22 years, won 515 games and took the Tigers to two College World Series, died Monday. He was 76.

Nix was Auburn's coach from 1963-84 when he compiled a 515-376 record. He won three Southeastern Conference championships, one SEC Tournament title and six SEC Divisional titles.

He was named the SEC Coach of the Year five times.

Prior to his tenure at Auburn, Nix was the head baseball coach at Troy State where he tallied a 77-37 record in six seasons. In 28 years, Nix was 592-413.

"Paul Nix was a great Auburn man and we are extremely saddened by his passing," Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs said. "He laid a strong foundation for our baseball program and brought it national recognition with Auburn's first-ever College World Series appearance. He was well respected by his players and developed many that went on
to have successful careers in and outside of baseball.

Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."

Nix took the 1967 and the 1976 teams to the College World Series, finishing third in '67 and seventh in '76. He claimed SEC titles in 1967, '76 and '78 along with the league tournament crown in '78.

Nix was named the SEC Coach of the Year in 1963, '64, '67, '76 and '78 and was selected the NCAA District III Coach of the Year in 1967 and NCAA South Region Coach of the Year in 1976.

Nix is survived by his wife Gwen, two children, daughter Paula Nix Hooks and son Gary along with three brothers Gordon, Tim and Mike.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika with the service being held on Thursday at Auburn United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Bethany House in Nix's honor.