June 15, 2016
AUBURN, Ala. -- Longtime Auburn gymnastics coach Robert Dillard passed away Sunday night at the age of a 77. He came to The Plains in August of 1985 and spent over 14 years building a foundation for Auburn gymnastics that is felt today.
"This program is not what it is today without those early years under Coach Dillard," head coach Jeff Graba said. "That foundation of success and determination still stands today."
"Coach Dillard was very helpful in getting me started here at Auburn and am privileged to have used him as a resource throughout my time here," Graba added. "His support and energy helped me immensely and I will be forever thankful for that. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Mary Lou and the family.
Under his guidance, Auburn made 10 NCAA regional appearances and reached the NCAA Championship for the first time in 1991 and then again in 1993. With Dillard at the helm, the Tigers advanced to the program's first-ever NCAA Super Six in 1993, finishing fifth overall. That finish is the highest by any Auburn team.
Against Southeastern Conference competition, Dillard's 1992 and 1993 teams came in third at the league championship. Both finishes are still the best by any Auburn squad since the SEC began sponsoring the sport in 1981. In addition, Dillard was honored twice by the league and was named SEC Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1999.
Individually, Dillard coached six gymnasts that combined for nine All-America honors. That included four-time All-American Becky Erwin and two-time All-American Heather Brown. Seven of his gymnast were NCAA qualifiers in the all-around. In addition, he led gymnasts to six All-SEC honors and saw three gymnasts capture NCAA regional titles -- Danielle Pritts on vault (1991) and floor (1992), Erwin on beam (1993, 1994) and Sarah Wentworth in the all-around (1999). Erwin's SEC title on beam in 1994 is the only individual title a Tiger has won at the conference meet.
In addition to his contributions as a coach, Dillard was instrumental in the design and construction of the current home of Auburn gymnastics -- the McWhorter Center for Women's Athletics.
Prior to Auburn, Dillard spent 10 seasons at Jacksonville State and guided JSU to NCAA Division II titles in 1984 and 1985. He began coaching gymnastics in 1965, starting a program at Northeast YMCA in Birmingham. Up until 2014, Dillard continued to coach for the Calvin Twisters and Mountain Brook Gymnastics.
He is survived by his wife Mary Lou, daughters Leslie Mayo and Christy Kratzer, grandson Blaine Mayo, Tim Mayo, sister Barbara Norris and several nieces and nephews.
Coach Dillard's full obituary can be found here.
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