Tommy Tuberville is a well-known name in the world of college football, renowned for his impressive coaching record and numerous achievements over the years. However, his personal life has also been a topic of intense interest and scrutiny, particularly when it comes to his first marriage and the events that led to its dissolution. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the untold story of what happened to Tommy Tuberville’s first wife, uncovering the details and the aftermath of their divorce.

Who is Tommy Tuberville?

Tommy Tuberville is a renowned name in the world of college football, with an impressive coaching career that has spanned decades. Born on September 18, 1954, in Camden, Arkansas, Tuberville played college football at Southern Arkansas University and began his coaching journey as a graduate assistant at Arkansas State University. His big break came in 1995 when he became the head coach at the University of Mississippi, and he went on to coach at Auburn University, Texas Tech University, and the University of Cincinnati, amassing an impressive record of 159 wins and 99 losses.

Tommy Tuberville’s First Wife

Throughout his successful coaching career, Tuberville’s personal life has also been a topic of interest for many, particularly his first marriage. Tuberville’s first wife was Vicki Lynn Grubbs, whom he met while they were both students at Harmony Grove High School. The couple tied the knot on December 19, 1976, and they welcomed two sons together, Tucker and Troy.

The Divorce

After 13 years of marriage, Tuberville and Vicki divorced in 1991. The reasons behind their divorce were not publicly disclosed, but it was rumored that Tuberville had been having an affair with a woman named Suzanne Fette, a former Miss Arkansas and a former employee of the Auburn Athletic Department. The divorce proceedings were not amicable, and Vicki reportedly received a settlement of $1.3 million, which included their house and a monthly alimony payment of $5,000. Tuberville was also required to cover the college education expenses of his sons and provide health insurance for them until they turned 18.

The Aftermath

The aftermath of Tuberville’s first marriage and divorce was marked by a strained relationship with his sons. In a 2012 interview with ESPN, Tuberville’s older son, Tucker Tuberville, stated that he had not spoken to his father in over a year and that his father had not attended his high school or college graduation, nor had he been present for any of his football games. Similarly, Tuberville’s younger son, Troy Tuberville, revealed in a 2012 interview with The New York Times that he had not spoken to his father in over two years and had not received any financial support from him since he turned 18.

Tommy Tuberville’s Second Marriage

Shortly after his divorce from Vicki was finalized, Tuberville married Suzanne Fette in 1991. Suzanne was a former Miss Arkansas and a former employee of the Auburn Athletic Department. She was also a member of the Auburn University Board of Trustees.

Controversy Surrounding the Marriage

Tuberville’s second marriage was not without controversy. In 2003, it was reported that Suzanne had been involved in a physical altercation with a woman named Heather Cook, a former employee of the Auburn Athletic Department who had been having an affair with Tuberville. The incident took place at a restaurant in Auburn, Alabama, and resulted in Suzanne being charged with third-degree assault. She was later acquitted of the charges, and the incident was settled out of court.

READ ALSO: Brighton Butler Divorce: Navigating Personal Challenges in the Public Eye

The Rise and Fall of Tommy Tuberville’s First Marriage

Tuberville’s personal life has been a subject of much interest, and his first marriage to Vicki Lynn Grubbs was no exception. The couple met during their high school days at Harmony Grove High School and tied the knot on December 19, 1976. Together, they had two sons, Tucker and Troy, and seemed to have a seemingly idyllic life. However, the cracks in their relationship began to show in the early 1990s, leading to a tumultuous divorce in 1991.

The Messy Divorce Proceedings

The reasons behind Tuberville and Vicki’s divorce were not publicly disclosed, but it was widely rumored that Tuberville had been involved in an affair with a woman named Suzanne Fette, a former Miss Arkansas and an employee of the Auburn Athletic Department. The divorce proceedings were anything but amicable, with Vicki reportedly receiving a hefty settlement of $1.3 million, including their shared home and a monthly alimony payment of $5,000. Additionally, Tuberville was responsible for covering the college education expenses of his sons and providing them with health insurance until they turned 18.

The Lasting Impact on Tuberville’s Family Dynamics

The aftermath of Tuberville’s first marriage and divorce had a profound impact on his relationship with his sons, Tucker and Troy. In separate interviews with ESPN and The New York Times in 2012, both sons revealed that they had not spoken to their father in years, with Tucker stating that Tuberville had not attended any of his significant life events, such as his high school or college graduations, nor had he been present for any of his football games. Troy also shared that he had not received any financial support from his father since turning 18.

The strained relationship between Tuberville and his sons from his first marriage has been a testament to the lasting consequences of his personal choices and the toll they took on his family dynamics. As Tuberville moved forward with his second marriage to Suzanne Fette, the shadow of his past continued to loom large, shaping the narrative of his personal life and the impact it had on those closest to him.

Conclusion

Despite the personal challenges and controversies surrounding his first marriage and divorce, Tommy Tuberville has remained a successful and well-respected figure in the world of college football. While his relationship with his sons from his first marriage has been strained, he has continued to thrive in his coaching career, leading various teams to numerous victories. Tuberville’s second marriage to Suzanne Fette, although not without its own controversies, has endured for nearly 30 years, showcasing the resilience and determination that have marked his remarkable journey.

READ ALSO: Tea Leoni and Tim Daly’s Split: A Hollywood Love Story Unraveled