Tuberville Is Out at Auburn

Auburn and Tommy Tuberville are going their separate ways.

Charles Goldberg of the Birmingham News reports that Tuberville, who was 85-40 in 10 years as coach, has either been fired or resigned.

Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News reported earlier Wednesday that Auburn officials had contacted Arkansas' Bobby Petrino and Texas Tech's Mike Leach to gauge their interest if the school decided to fire Tuberville.

Auburn went behind Tuberville's back in 2003 in an attempt to bring Petrino, who was the Tigers' offense coordinator in 2002, back to the Plains.

Auburn's president and athletic director at the time and two trustees who remain on the board — Earlon McWhorter and Byron Franklin — flew to visit Petrino at Louisville two days before the 2003 Iron Bowl.

When reports surfaced of the meeting, a groundswell of support from fans helped Tuberville keep his job. No such luck this time.

Petrino's Arkansas contract has a $2.85-million buyout and a non-compete clause that is supposed to prohibit him from leaving Arkansas for another Southeastern Conference West team, according to Scarbinsky, who also reported that Leach would entertain an offer from Auburn. The Texas Tech coach was in Seattle earlier this week interviewing for the opening at Washington.

Tuberville had been in meetings for two days with athletic director Jay Jacobs to discuss the future of the program.

Tuberville's last game was a 36-0 loss to rival Alabama last Saturday.

Thanks to Jay for his help.

Comments

[Todd E. Jones]

Fired or resigned? Does it really matter? Such an unfortunate way for the Tuberville era to end. He was a great coach at Auburn. I don't think they get Petrino, and Leach might not fit in at Alabama. I know who they probably should go after, but I ain't saying.

[College Football Sports News]

And now the search begins for Tuberville. There a few names being thrown out there but you can pretty much dismiss each name: Jimbo Fisher (head coach in waiting at FSU), Will Muschamp (head coach in waiting at Texas), Steve Spurrier - it's been said that he would listen if Auburn called, Bobby Patrino (can't sign with a SEC school), Mike Leach (wouldn't be a good fit in a SEC school). Either way there will be some big shoes to fill.