Auburn students plan protest over Tuberville exit

Published 9:52 am Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Students at Auburn University are planning a protest over Tommy Tuberville’s departure as football coach.

Planners say hundreds of students are expected to march from the center of campus to the president’s mansion on Tuesday. They say Tuberville was wrongly forced out after 10 years that included an undefeated season and a conference championship.

An organizer of the demonstration, Taylor Jones, says many people believe Tuberville was fired despite the university’s claim that he resigned. They’re pointing to the school’s agreement to pay Tuberville more than $5 million he wouldn’t have been due unless he was fired.

A university spokeswoman says Auburn is standing by its statement that Tuberville resigned.