Tuberville steps down at Auburn

Tommy Tuberville stepped down yesterday after 10 years as Auburn's coach, a reign that included a perfect season and a string of overachieving teams but ended with the worst record of his tenure.

Tuberville was 85-40 in his decade with Auburn, including a 13-0 season in 2004 when the Tigers finished No. 2 in the nation and won the Southeastern Conference title for the first time in 15 years. But Auburn went 5-7 this year and was routed 36-0 at the end by rival Alabama, currently ranked No. 1.

"The last 10 years have been a great time in my life, both professionally and personally," Tuberville said in a statement. "It's been a great place to coach and live, and we've had a lot of success along the way. I'm going to remain in Auburn and help the Auburn family however I can. I'm very appreciative of the coaches, players, staff and Auburn fans over the last decade."

Tuberville informed the players in a team meeting at the football complex after three days of meetings with Auburn officials.

"Tommy and I have had the opportunity to discuss the direction of the program," athletic director Jay Jacobs said in a statement. "Through those discussions, Tommy felt it would be in his and the program's best interest to step aside as Auburn's head football coach."

Texas Tech wants Leach

Texas Tech athletic director Gerald Myers says the school is negotiating a contract extension with Mike Leach, amid reports that the Red Raiders coach has met with the University of Washington about the Huskies' top job.

Myers couldn't confirm newspaper reports that Leach was in Seattle this week to talk to UW officials. Myers said Leach, named Big 12 coach of the year Tuesday, didn't seek permission for an interview and that he hadn't been contacted by Washington. Leach didn't return a call seeking comment . . . Charlie Weis will return for a fifth year as Notre Dame's football coach despite posting his second straight disappointing season. Weis has seven years left on a 10-year contract signed midway through his first season, but some fans had been clamoring for his firing after the Irish got off to a 4-1 start this season and finished 6-6.

Going bowling

An invitation to the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day in Jacksonville, Fla., was extended to the Clemson Tigers (7-5), who likely will be matched up with Nebraska (8-4).

Other bowl invites went out to Conference USA teams Southern Mississippi and Rice. Southern Miss will play in the New Orleans Bowl against the Sun Belt Conference champion, and Rice will play in its hometown of Houston in the Texas Bowl.