Tommy Tuberville on being Auburn's next AD: 'Don't think there's anyone more qualified'

Well, Tommy Tuberville is throwing is hat in the ring ... again.

Last time, the former Auburn coach was testing the waters for a run as the governor of Alabama.

This time, however, it appears the now-TV analyst is ready to help Auburn's athletic programs.

Tuberville, who joined me on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 on Thursday, was asked if he would be interested in the Auburn's athletic director position.

"I would love to help Auburn's athletic program," Tuberville said. "I don't think there's anyone more qualified than me. I know it. I know the people. I know the boosters, the alumni. I know the city, the community. I would love to talk to the president, whether I am a candidate or whether I can help."

Last week, current Auburn AD Jay Jacobs informed Auburn University president Steven Leath he would step down on June 1, 2018, "or sooner if my successor is in place."

Per my AL.com colleague James Crepea:

Jacobs' nearly 13-year tenure as Auburn's athletic director ends with the department mired in numerous scandals.

There is still one charge outstanding from the federal wrongful termination lawsuit by former baseball coach Sunny Golloway, anongoing Title IX investigation into allegations of abuse and sexual harassment of softball players, the FBI's case against assistant basketball coach Chuck Person that has led to the program indefinitely sitting Austin Wiley and Danjel Purifoy and the federal discrimination lawsuit filed by former track assistant coach Adrian Ghioroaie.

"They are way underachieving in that athletic program, as we speak," Tuberville said. "There are a lot of great things and a lot of good people.

"Everywhere I go - I'm going to Ames, Iowa, this week to do Oklahoma State-Iowa State - I will get questions about 'What in the world is going on at Auburn?' I'll get that in the airport in Atlanta."

"I just want Auburn to get the full use out of everything they have because it is a great place," he said. "I've always told people - even when I was there - you can't worry about anyone else but Auburn. ...

"You can take it or leave it. But I don't think there are many people who know it any better than me, not just Auburn, but the entire conference and the southeast.

"I'd love the opportunity to help Auburn become successful as it can be."

(Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.)

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