Auburn Fires Basketball Coach Tony Barbee After South Carolina Loss

ATLANTA (AP) — Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs has fired basketball coach Tony Barbee.

Jacobs announced the decision Wednesday night, shortly after the team left the Georgia Dome following Auburn's 74-56 loss to South Carolina in the Southeastern Conference tournament.

Barbee insisted after the game the Tigers improved by finishing 14-16 overall and 6-12 in the Southeastern Conference. He said after the game he expected to meet with Jacobs when the team returned to Auburn.

Jacobs didn't wait that long. He said in a statement a change "is best for the program."

Jacobs says he believes Auburn should compete for basketball championships and said "It's time for somebody else to have a turn."

Barbee posted losing records in each of his four seasons.