Official: Tommy Tuberville steps down as Cincinnati head coach
The Tommy Tuberville era at Cincinnati has come to an end.
The program announced Sunday that Tuberville has decided to step down as the Bearcats’ head coach after his fourth season with the program. The news was first reported Sunday morning by FootballScoop.com
The team won nine games in each of his first two seasons with the program, but that total dropped to seven in 2015 before a disappointing 4-8 (1-7 AAC) record this season.
“After much thought and reflection, I have decided to step down and resign from my position here at the University of Cincinnati,” Tuberville said. “I want to thank the board of trustees, the administration, the fans and the University for these last four years. I also want to thank our coaches, staff and anyone associated within our athletic department. Most of all, I will miss these players but know these young men will turn out to be outstanding leaders in the world and for me that is what it’s all about. I am not done coaching and I look forward to my next challenge. Go Bearcats!”
Overall, the 62-year-old Tuberville, who arrived at Cincinnati in December 2012 after leaving Texas Tech, had a 29-22 (18-14 AAC) record with the Bearcats. The team won a share of the AAC title in 2014.
Per Football Scoop, Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck and Troy coach Neal Brown are candidates for the opening, as is Western Kentucky’s Jeff Brohm, per Yahoo Sports’ Pat Forde.
“He is a hall of fame coach. We thank him and his staff for their hard work and dedication to Cincinnati,” athletic director Mike Bohn said. “Change is never an easy thing on our student-athletes, but their success and well-being is our primary focus. We will move onward and search for a head coach who can continue the growth of the football program in line with our goals of being class of the league.”
Added UC interim president Dr. Beverly J. Davenport: “Coach Tommy Tuberville is an icon in college football coaching. We appreciate all he has done for the University of Cincinnati football program and wish him and his family the very best. I have total confidence in Director of Athletics Mike Bohn to find our next football coach, and I will be working with him every step of the way as we move forward in the process.”
The news isn’t surprising, but the timing somewhat is. Per his contract, the school was obligated to pay Tuberville a $2.4 million buyout if he was terminated before Dec. 7. After that date, the buyout drops to $1.5 million. If, as Football Scoop reported, Tuberville decided to step down, the buyout number could have been negotiated for his exit.
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Cincinnati was the fourth head-coaching stop for Tuberville. He went 20-17 in three seasons at Texas Tech after his 10-year tenure at Auburn. With the Tigers, Tuberville garnered an 85-40 mark, including an undefeated SEC championship season in 2004.
Before taking the Auburn job, Tuberville spent four seasons as the head coach at Ole Miss and had a 25-20 record. He also served stints as an assistant at Texas A&M, Miami and Arkansas State.
For more Cincinnati news, visit BearcatReport.com.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
