M representatives requesting permission to interview Tigers coach Tommy Tuberville for the vacant job, but planned to meet with the coach over the next few days.
M would pursue Tuberville to replace Dennis Franchione, who resigned after the Aggies’ win over Texas Friday.
that’s what we’ll do.”
Jacobs said no meeting time was set and that it would depend on Tuberville’s “recruiting calendar.”
Tuberville spent one season as the Aggies’ defensive coordinator in 1994.
He said earlier in the week that he planned to stay at Auburn “as long as they want us here. We’re fired up about that.”
After the game, he refused to address the issue.
“We’re not talking about that right now,” Tuberville said. “We’re talking about Alabama.”
It would cost $6 million to buy him out of the seven-year, $18 million deal he signed after the Tigers went 13-0 in 2004. Tuberville is making $2.6 million this season, which would increase by $200,000 next year.
Asked if Auburn would consider reducing the buyout if Tuberville asked, Jacobs said: “I haven’t gone back and looked but I think it’s iron clad. I’m not getting into hypothetical situations. He’s our guy and we’ll sit down and talk about things. We’ll address it and keep moving.”
Jacobs believes Tuberville’s statement this week should end speculation that he’s considering leaving.
“When it first started happening, he just said, ‘It seems like every year I get brought up in one of these things,”’ Jacobs said. “And when it didn’t die down he said he was going to put an end to all of it. That’s what he did last week when he came out and said I want to be here.”
Jacobs wouldn’t say if he planned to offer Tuberville a new deal. Jacobs said he would meet with Tuberville one-on-one and then make a recommendation to university President Jay Gogue, if necessary.
“We did a great contract in 2005 and some things have changed and some haven’t,” Jacobs said. “The thing about it is with Tommy, it’s never been about him. He just wants what’s best for Auburn. We’ll sit down and talk about whatever that may be.”
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