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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Opens Search For New Head Football Coach
6/21/1999 | Football
November 28, 1998
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss officials announced Saturday they have begun the process of hiring a new head football coach. The position became vacant when Tommy Tuberville notified the school Saturday morning that he was accepting a similar position with Auburn University.
"We thank Tommy Tuberville and his staff for their contributions to Ole Miss," said University of Mississippi Chancellor Robert C. Khayat. "We wish them the very best.
"I have asked John Shafer, our Director of Athletics, to conduct a search for our football coach using all the resources he feels he needs, including recommendations from the Athletics Committee.
"I have confidence that John will attract a person who will be able to sustain our momentum. We will have a head football coach who is a person of integrity and is a proven leader. He will be loyal to Ole Miss and will give our players opportunities to be successful student-athletes."
Shafer said the search to replace Tuberville will begin immediately.
"We are disappointed that Coach Tuberville has made the decision to leave Ole Miss," Shafer said. "We want to thank him for what he has meant to the University of Mississippi. On a personal note, I want to wish him and his family well.
"Our main concern in the coming days is to find a replacement who is a good coach, a good recruiter, a person of character and integrity, and, most importantly, a person who will make a long-term commitment to Ole Miss.
"I'm concerned about our players; they are the forgotten ones through all of this. We still have a shot at a bowl game that they have earned. We will continue to work to place Ole Miss in a bowl game as a reward for their efforts. It is important to me to see that we have a coach who can hit the ground running, hire a staff, and keep this young group of fine student-athletes together."
During Tuberville's four years as head coach, Ole Miss compiled a 25-20 record, which included three winning seasons. Tuberville's best season was in 1997 when the Rebels finished 8-4, including a 34-31 victory over Marshall in the Ford Motor City Bowl.
Ole Miss finished the 1998 regular season with a 6-5 record, which makes them bowl eligible.
