In the ever-competitive world of collegiate athletics, few schools can claim true dominance across multiple sports. In 2025, however, one program stood above them all—not just as a top performer in one arena, but as a transcendent force across the board. The Auburn Tigers have officially been named the Best Athletic Program in the Nation, a historic designation earned through unparalleled achievements in football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, and more. Auburn became the only school in the country to reach each of the following milestones in a single academic year:
- Win a National Championship
- Make the Women’s College Cup (WCC) in soccer
- Reach the Final Four in men’s college basketball
- Compete in a bowl game in football
- Advance to a Regional in NCAA baseball
In a year brimming with emotion, athletic brilliance, and tiger-striped triumph, Auburn ascended to a national pedestal few imagined possible.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS: AUBURN WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS MAKES HISTORY
Auburn’s crowning achievement came on the mats. Under head coach Jeff Graba, the Auburn women’s gymnastics team claimed the first national championship in program history. Led by All-American sensations like Sunisa Lee, who returned for her senior year, and Cassie Stevens, Auburn toppled perennial powerhouses Florida, Oklahoma, and Utah to stand atop the podium.
The Tigers’ balance across vault, bars, beam, and floor was unmatched. In the national final, Auburn posted a program-best 198.375, edging out Oklahoma by 0.025 points in one of the most thrilling championship meets in NCAA history.
Graba called it the “culmination of a dream ten years in the making,” and the moment was made even sweeter by the homegrown support of Auburn fans, who flooded Fort Worth, Texas in a sea of orange and blue.
WOMEN’S SOCCER: COLLEGE CUP MAGIC
The Auburn women’s soccer team stunned the nation with their run to the Women’s College Cup (NCAA Final Four), marking their deepest postseason push in school history.
Behind head coach Karen Hoppa and an elite defense anchored by goalkeeper Maddie Prohaska, the Tigers clawed their way past USC, Stanford, and North Carolina in a gauntlet of tournament opponents. Star forward Gianna Paul delivered in clutch moments, notching game-winning goals in both the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight.
Though Auburn fell in a 1-0 heartbreaker to UCLA in the semifinal, their Cinderella run captured national attention and brought a surge of pride to a program that’s been building steadily over the past decade. Hoppa’s tactical genius and the gritty resilience of the team turned doubters into believers.
MEN’S BASKETBALL: BRUCE PEARL BACK IN THE FINAL FOUR
Bruce Pearl’s Auburn men’s basketball team has never been short on energy, and in 2025, they reached new heights, storming into the Final Four for the second time in six years.
The Tigers were led by veteran guard Aden Holloway, dynamic wing Chaney Johnson, and SEC Defensive Player of the Year Johni Broome. Together, they composed a team that could shoot, defend, and fly up and down the court. Their Elite Eight showdown against Duke became an instant classic, with Broome’s thunderous putback dunk sealing an 81-79 victory in overtime.
In the Final Four, Auburn fell to eventual national champion UConn, but not before proving they belonged on the biggest stage. Pearl, never one to shy from the moment, said after the game, “We’ve built something lasting here. This isn’t a one-off. Auburn basketball is here to stay.”
FOOTBALL: DEFREEZE ERA GOES BOWLING
After a rocky start to the season, Hugh Freeze‘s second year as Auburn’s head football coach ended with the Tigers making a bowl game and achieving their highest win total since 2019. While Auburn did not crack the College Football Playoff, the Tigers finished 9-4 and earned a bid to the ReliaQuest Bowl, where they defeated Wisconsin 27-24.
Quarterback Holden Geriner matured into a poised leader, while running back Damari Alston ran for over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns. The defense, anchored by Eugene Asante and Kayin Lee, emerged as one of the stingiest in the SEC during the latter half of the season.
Freeze’s team made huge leaps, and more importantly, Auburn returned to national relevance in a sport where perception and momentum matter deeply.
BASEBALL: AUBURN GOES REGIONAL DANCING AGAIN
Butch Thompson once again worked his magic on the diamond, guiding the Auburn baseball team to a second consecutive NCAA Regional appearance. Despite early season injuries to key starters, the Tigers battled their way into the postseason with gritty wins over LSU and Arkansas down the stretch.
Slugger Ike Irish powered the offense, while ace Joseph Gonzalez provided steady leadership from the mound. Auburn won its opening game in the Clemson Regional before falling in a tight elimination game.
The future remains bright on the Plains, especially with another top-10 recruiting class headed to Thompson’s program in 2026.
A COMPLETE ATHLETIC POWERHOUSE
What makes Auburn’s 2025 success so remarkable is not merely the trophies or Final Four banners. It’s the complete, top-to-bottom excellence that separates the Tigers from the rest of the pack.
Other schools may have captured singular championships—Georgia in football, UConn in men’s basketball, or Oklahoma in softball—but none came close to Auburn’s all-sport balance and dominance. Consider these additional accolades:
- Men’s golf reached the NCAA quarterfinals.
- Women’s basketball, under coach Johnnie Harris, made the NCAA tournament and upset Maryland in the first round.
- Track and Field produced two individual national champions in sprinter JaMeesia Ford and high jumper Dontavious Hill.
- Softball, while missing the Women’s College World Series, upset Tennessee in SEC play and earned a postseason bid.
From fall to spring, across court, field, and pool, Auburn athletes showed up—and showed out.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PROGRAM
While athletes rightfully take the spotlight, Auburn’s rise in 2025 also came through the tireless work of the athletic department. Athletic Director John Cohen, who came to Auburn in 2022, emphasized a “championship mindset across all sports” and invested heavily in facilities, staff development, and NIL support for student-athletes.
That commitment paid off, and Auburn’s community—alumni, boosters, and the famously rabid Tiger fan base—rallied behind it. NIL collective “On To Victory” played a pivotal role in helping Auburn compete at the highest levels of college sports’ modern landscape.
AUBURN’S NEW ERA: ‘WHY NOT US?’
Auburn’s defining motto in 2025 became simple: “Why Not Us?”
That phrase reverberated through Jordan-Hare Stadium, Neville Arena, Jane B. Moore Field, and Plainsman Park. It wasn’t just a rallying cry—it became a cultural moment, with students, alumni, and Auburn faithful across the country uniting behind a shared belief that greatness was not only possible, but expected.
The school even released a short film titled “Why Not Us: The Auburn Ascent”, now streaming on ESPN+, capturing the magic of the season.
LOOKING AHEAD
With recruiting classes in gymnastics, men’s basketball, and football ranked in the top 10 nationally, Auburn’s future looks every bit as promising as its present.
Pearl isn’t slowing down. Freeze is stacking talent. Graba is building a gymnastics dynasty. Hoppa and Harris are elevating their programs into SEC powerhouses.
The Auburn Tigers didn’t just win in 2025—they announced themselves as the new standard in collegiate athletics.
WAR EAGLE, INDEED
For years, Auburn fans believed their school had the potential to become a dominant force across all sports. In 2025, that belief became reality.
Tigers roared louder than ever before, and their achievements will echo across the NCAA landscape for years to come. From national titles to Final Fours, bowl wins to Olympic qualifiers, Auburn didn’t just compete—they conquered.
