Tuberville's status remains in limbo at Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville rose from a restless night after an embarrassing Iron Bowl loss and commenced trying to convince recruits to stick with the Tigers.

In the meantime, Tuberville awaits resolution of his own future at Auburn.

The Tigers' worst season in 10 years ended with a 36-0 loss to No. 1 Alabama on Saturday that served to brutally emphasize Auburn's shortcomings, particularly on offense.

Tuberville then hit the road for recruiting and said he didn't know when he would meet with University President Jay Gogue and athletic director Jay Jacobs on his job status.

"I've got a contract here. I'm working," Tuberville said. "There's no doubt that we can get this thing turned back around. I didn't turn into a bad coach overnight. I know this program better than anybody.

"I know what it takes. I know the type of people that you can get to come in. I know our strengths and weaknesses. And I'm fully committed to doing it. I'm going out and selling that."

Tuberville will have to emphasize his long-term track record and hope a 5-7 season full of things out of his control (injuries) and well within it (a disastrous offensive change) won't cancel that out.

He is 7-3 in the Iron Bowl.

"I've been through 10 Iron Bowls and three times I've woken up the next day after really not sleeping much," Tuberville said.

He said he will try to bring in more offensive playmakers and would consider making changes to his coaching staff beyond a new offensive coordinator.

Tuberville had won 50 games the previous five seasons, including a 13-0 team in 2004 team that wound up ranked No. 2.

Tuberville denied a report in the Birmingham News Sunday that indicated Jacobs had told him in the middle of last week that he would be retained.

"No, I have no clue where that came from," the coach said. He signed a two-year contract extension through 2013 after last season that would pay him about $3.3 million annually. The current buyout would be some $6 million. Jacobs declined an interview request from the Associated Press.