Auburn coach signs five-year extension

AUBURN, Ala., Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville, who guided the Tigers to their second nine-win season in three years, has signed a new five-year contract that will pay him $1.5 million annually.

The Birmingham News reported in late January that Tuberville had agreed to the contract and Auburn made it official Friday.

The contract will continue to pay Tuberville a base salary of $185,000, with the remainder coming from endorsement rights and radio and television agreements.

"Auburn is truly a special place," Tuberville said. "There isn't a better place to coach, live and raise a family than at this university and in this community. Everyone associated with the program -- from the administration to the fans -- is dedicated to helping Auburn succeed."

Under the terms of the contract, Tuberville will receive a $200,000 per season completion bonus if he stays at Auburn through 2007. He becomes the third-highest paid coach in the Southeastern Conference behind Phillip Fulmer of Tennessee and Nick Saban of Louisiana State, who each earn about $1.6 million annually.

The Birmingham News also reported the contract calls for Tuberville to pay Auburn $3 million if he decided to leave the school and that Auburn would have to pay Tuberville a base buyout of $3 million, plus $200,000 for each year he completes the contract, should he be removed as coach.

"Tommy and his family want to stay at Auburn and we want them to stay at Auburn for a long time," Athletic Director David Housel said. "We believe this agreement and the new contract will be a win-win for everybody."

Auburn was 9-4 last season, including an upset win over Alabama and a victory over Penn State in the Capital One Bowl.

The contract is the third in four years for Tuberville, who took over a program in shambles following the departure of Terry Bowden. Tuberville was 5-6 in his first season in 1999 and improved to 9-4 and 7-5 the next two seasons.

"I have been at Auburn for more than 30 years and very rarely has the anticipation and excitement of Auburn people been higher than it is right now," Housel said. "That is a credit to Tommy, his staff and the job they have done."

Auburn has made three straight bowl appearances under Tuberville and finished ranked in the top 20 in two of the last three seasons.