Auburn fires basketball coach Lebo

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - Jeff Lebo was fired Friday as Auburn's coach after his fifth losing season in six years with the Tigers.

Tapped to rebuild the Tiger program in 2004, Lebo was unable to turn Auburn around and was dismissed by Auburn athletics director Jay Jacobs aftering going 96-93 overal and 35-61 in Southeastern Conference play.

Lebo was able to take the Tigers into the postseason only once - to the NIT in 2009.

While expectations were raised this season, Auburn finished 15-17, including 6-10 in the league. It will return only one starter next year.

"I want to thank Coach Lebo for all that he has done for Auburn University over the past six years," Jacobs said. "Coach Lebo has worked hard and has always represented Auburn with character, class and integrity. However, we feel like the time has come for Auburn basketball to move in a new direction."

Jacbos made the move after Tigers' season ended Thursday with a 78-69 loss to Florida in the SEC tournament. He said a search for a replacement would begin immediately.

Lebo, a native of Carlisle, Pa., who played for North Carolina in 1985-88, began his college coaching career Tennessee Tech.