It’s easy to say that this past year for Auburn sports was one of the best the athletic department has had in a long time. Coming off of a horrific season last year, Auburn's football team definitely bounced back.

From the beginning, Auburn entered the football season looking to get their edge back. Gene Chizik’s ride as head football coach came to an end and Gus Malzahn was hired as his successor. He promised to return Auburn to the national spotlight and he did just that.

After a 3-9 season the year before, Auburn was just looking to be bowl eligible. A somewhat good loss at LSU turned the Tigers' season into a dream season. Auburn went on to win the next six games. Georgia was coming into town with too many injuries to count. After Georgia made a comeback for the ages, Ricardo Louis made a remarkable catch to spoil the Bulldogs, soon to be upset. Auburn was headed to the Iron Bowl for an SEC Championship berth.

November 30 will go down as the greatest Iron Bowl to ever be played. Auburn and Alabama played close, until the fourth quarter. Alabama had taken the lead with under two minutes to go. Nick Marshall lead the Tigers to a last second drive to tie up the game with a few seconds remaining. Alabama tried a late field goal and we all know what happened from there. Chris Davis became a part of Auburn lore as he returned the kick to crush Alabama’s “three-peat” chances.   Auburn would go on to win the SEC in a worst to first year. Auburn has returned to the national spotlight and looks for an even better 2014 season.

While football had a great success in their 2013 season, Auburn basketball struggled under Tony Barbee. The basketball team finished near the bottom of the SEC and athletic director, Jay Jacobs, decide it was time for a change. A landmark hire of Bruce Pearl, former Tennessee Volunteers head coach, sent the program in the upward direction. Pearl has continued to improve the morale of the team and successfully recruit. The basketball team is hoping for a more productive 2014-15 season.

Other new hires were made by the baseball and softball teams as Sonny Galloway and Clint Myers were hired to their respective sport. Galloway’s baseball team struggled in the SEC, as the team did not reach the SEC Tournament in Hoover. The upside to the team is that many freshmen started last season. Keegan Thompson, a freshman pitcher and first baseman, was named All-American following the season.

Clint Myers and the softball team found many successes during his first year under the helm. The softball team was featured on ESPN’s top plays, as they threw no hitters in consecutive games. Myers and the Lady Tigers reached the regional round of the NCAA Tournament. Myers hopes this is just the beginning to the softball program's success.