 Tyler was named head coach of the Bulldogs in 1973 and led State to a 9–3 season in the tough Southeastern Conference and a victory in the 1974 Sun Bowl over North Carolina.During that season, his team beat perennial powerhouses in Georgia, and LSU.The Bulldogs' record was 6–4–1 in 1975, and it was an impressive 9–2 in 1976, ending the season ranked #20 in the AP Poll.