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Former coach Tommy Tuberville has opted not to run for governor of Alabama. Tuberville, who coached at Auburn and Texas Tech before ending his career at Cincinnati, told Sirius XM on Tuesday that he would not be campaigning for the 2018 election. 

Tuberville had been mulling a gubernatorial run over the last few months. In March, Tuberville took out a $100,000 loan to start a potential campaign run in March. 

"I'm a patriotic person, I love this country. There's no doubt we live in the best country on the face of the earth," Tuberville said. "I love this state in Alabama. I think it's something can be improved and that's the reason I was thinking about running."

Earlier this month, Tuberville penned a column at AuburnUndercover explaining his feelings about a potential political career. 

"There is a lot of concern from people about the direction the state is heading — in terms of jobs, education and all the politics that go along with it," Tuberville wrote. "I have really enjoyed meeting different people at diners, in front of gas stations and inside grocery stores. People recognize me not as a candidate for a political office, but they recognize me as the former Auburn football coach and that has opened a lot of doors for me. At the end of the day, the people in this state I have talked to and will continue to talk to want a better life in the state of Alabama."

Tuberville stepped down as Cincinnati's coach last December following a disappointing 4-8 season.