Auburn extends Tuberville's contract

AUBURN, Ala., Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, who guided Auburn to a 7-5 record and a berth in the Peach Bowl, had his contract extended Wednesday for one year through the 2006 season.

Financial terms were not disclosed. Tuberville signed a five-year contract when he was hired in November 1998 and has had his deal extended by one year after each of the last three seasons.

Auburn upset top-ranked Florida on Oct. 13 but lost its final three games, including a 16-10 setback to North Carolina in the Peach Bowl.

"We have made a lot of progress under Tommy's leadership," said Auburn athletic director David Housel. "Three years ago, if someone told us we would win the SEC Western Division one year, tie for the title the next year and go to the Peach and Citrus Bowls the last two years, we would have considered that progress, and that's what Tommy has done."

Auburn is 21-15 in three seasons under Tuberville. The Tigers went to the Citrus Bowl in 2000, losing to Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. Auburn lost the SEC title game to Florida that year.

Tuberville was coach of Mississippi for four years before coming to Auburn.