Post Tagged with: "Jeff Lebo"

AU HOOPS: Lebo fired after six years without NCAA bid; Jacobs begins search for replacement

Lebo out for Auburn

For moments, when he contemplated the future of Auburn’s basketball program, Jay Jacobs pretended that the big, new, $92.5 million arena sitting outside his window was a mirage.

With or without the biggest symbol of optimism on Auburn’s campus, Jacobs concluded the future of Auburn’s basketball program with Jeff Lebo at the helm was cloudy. The commitment he made to the new building, Jacobs said, had to be matched in his actual commitment to the team that will be playing inside it.

Jacobs’ thought process kept coming back to wins and losses — something Lebo didn’t exactly have in his favor after six years on the job.

“Our No. 1 goal is to win, and we have to win ballgames,” Jacobs said. “I believe that all of our teams should be able to compete for championships, and I believe we have a great opportunity.”

AU HOOPS: Tigers eliminated by Florida, Lebo’s status up in air

Tay Waller held scoreless as UF downs Auburn in the SEC tournament /Todd Van Emst

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On a similar makeshift podium last year in the bowels of the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., Jeff Lebo stumped for his team’s candidacy as an at-large NCAA Tournament team with the gusto of a politician.

He did no such thing when it came to discussing his tenuous job security after Auburn’s 78-69, season-ending loss to Florida on Thursday at Bridgestone Arena.

His players filled the void for him.

“He’s a great coach,” senior forward Lucas Hargrove said. “Going into the new arena, I feel like he should definitely have a chance.

“I think he should get many more years.”