AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - Tommy Tuberville stepped down as coach at Auburn on Wednesday, following a disappointing season that culminated in the Tigers' first loss to Alabama in seven years.
Players were informed at a team meeting in the football complex Wednesday evening, and Auburn athletic spokesman Kirk Sampson confirmed Tuberville's resignation.
Tuberville did not immediately return a call to his cell phone.
He signed a two-year contract extension through 2013 after last season that would pay him about $3.3 million annually. The current buyout would be some $6 million.
Tuberville was 85-40 at Auburn, including a 13-0 season in 2004 when the Tigers finished No. 2 in the nation. But Auburn finished 5-7 this year, and the Tigers' worst season in 10 years ended last Saturday with a 36-0 loss to No. 1 Alabama that snapped their six-game winning streak in the Iron Bowl.
The Tigers' offense finished the season ranked 110th nationally in scoring, 102nd in total yards and 100th in passing yards. The finale was the first time Auburn had been shut out in 75 games, dating back to a 23-0 loss to Southern California to open the 2003 season. |