Tuberville expresses interest in Texas Tech opening

Former Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville told CBSSports.com on Thursday that he would be interested in the vacant head coaching job at Texas Tech.

Tuberville, who has been a head coach for 14 seasons (four at Ole Miss, 10 at Auburn), last coached in 2008, when his Auburn team went 5-7. Prior to that, Tuberville had posted eight straight winning seasons at Auburn, including a 13-0 record and an SEC championship in 2004. Tuberville had beaten rival Alabama six straight times before losing to the Crimson Tide 36-0 in 2008.

Tuberville has experience in the Texas area as he served as defensive coordinator at Texas A&M in 1994.

Tuberville, a native of Arkansas, took this season off to watch his two young sons play football. He still lives in Auburn.

"It feels like it's time to get back in," said Tuberville, who turned 55 on Sept. 18 and has a career record of 110-64. "I'm still young and I feel good. We'll see if anything happens."

Texas Tech coach Mike Leach was fired on Wednesday for what the school characterized as "insubordination" after an incident with player Adam James. Defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill is serving as interim coach for Saturday's Alamo Bowl.