AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn has hired Tony Barbee as basketball coach after he led UTEP to the regular-season Conference USA title and the NCAA tournament.
Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs announced Wednesday evening that Barbee will replace Jeff Lebo, who was fired the day after a first-round SEC tournament loss. Lebo failed to make the NCAA field during his six seasons.
Barbee led UTEP to three consecutive winning records in four seasons. The Miners were 26-7 this past season but lost 77-59 to Butler in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Barbee spent six seasons as an assistant coach at Memphis. The 38-year-old will be introduced at a news conference Thursday.
The Tigers move into $92 million Auburn Arena next season.
