Ex-Auburn Coach Accused of False Imprisonment

(CN) — Former Auburn University head football coach Pat Dye detained a man against his will following a car accident, the man claims in state court.

Jimmie McCoy Sr., of Macon County, Ala., filed suit last week in Macon County Circuit Court against Dye, claiming false imprisonment and other claims related to the car collision.

According to the Oct. 13 complaint, Dye and a second defendant "took the Plaintiff to the Defendant, Patrick Fain Dye's home and/or property, where they detained the Plaintiff without his permission or acquiescence and over his objection, and the Plaintiff could not reasonably or practically leave."

Pat Dye was the head football coach at Auburn University from 1981 to 1992 and remains an important figure in program history. While at Auburn, he won four SEC championships and coached Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson. In 2005, the field at Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium was named in his honor.

Today, Dye, 76, owns and operates a nursery specializing in Japanese maple trees in Notasulga, Ala.

According to the lawsuit, Dye "negligently operated a motor vehicle which struck the vehicle driven by the Plaintiff thereby causing the Plaintiff to sustain severe injuries and damages."

McCoy says the incident occurred on July 6 in Macon County, near State Highway 81, and resulted in injuries to both himself and his property.

The suit further stated that McCoy was "detained without just or reasonable cause."

In a statement to local media, Dye denied the allegations against him.

McCoy is represented in the case by Birmingham attorneys Robert Potter and Jerry Crowell III and attorney Robert Thompson of Tuskegee.

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