Tuberville to get new contract at Auburn

[MrMustang1965]

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville has agreed in principle to a new seven-year contract worth $16 million.

Tuberville, the AP Coach of the Year this year, led the third-ranked Tigers to a 12-0 regular season and its first Southeastern Conference championship in 15 years. They are playing Virginia Tech in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 3

``We have almost finished a new contract, and I'm excited about that,'' Tuberville said Monday after his team arrived in New Orleans for its bowl game. ``I'm excited about the future.''

The extension is a far cry from last season when it became public that Auburn officials, including the university president, had covertly courted Louisville coach Bobby Petrino to replace Tuberville.

``We just now got our program going in full swing, and there's not a better place in the country to live and work and coach football,'' Tuberville said. ``And I'm excited about being at Auburn long time.''