After serving for six years as Auburn Basketball's head coach, Jeff Lebo has officially been fired.
"I want to thank Coach Lebo for all that he has done for Auburn University over the past six years," said Auburn Athletic Director Jay Jacobs in a statement. "Coach Lebo has worked hard and has always represented Auburn with character, class and integrity."
Unconfirmed reports of the decision began to surface early Friday afternoon that Lebo, 96-93 overall at Auburn, was to be replaced. The decision comes after the Tigers fell to Florida Thursday night in the first round of the SEC Tournament in Nashville. Lebo led Auburn to two winning seasons in his six-year tenure and only one in conference play. He went 6-10 against SEC opponents this year.
"We feel like the time has come for Auburn basketball to move in a new direction," Jacobs said. "We deeply appreciate all that he and his staff have done for Auburn, and we wish each of them and their families nothing but the best."
Lebo's best season at Auburn was last year, finishing at 24-12 overall, 10-6 in the SEC and advancing to the NIT Quarterfinals before losing to Baylor 74-72 at home. Prior to coaching Lebo played at North Carolina for Dean Smith, moving onto a one-year stint with the San Antonio Spurs.
The search for a replacement will begin immediately. Tigers' next head coach will preside over the team's first game at the new $90 million Auburn Arena, set to open later this year.
"We will conduct a deliberate and thorough search driven by what is best for our student-athletes and our basketball program," Jacobs said. "We will not refute rumors or comment on who will or won't be considered or who has or hasn't been interviewed. Our sole goal is to find the right man for Auburn."
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