Lebo no longer a candidate at VCU

By Andrew Gribble
Auburn University Beat Reporter
Published: March 30, 2009

Virginia Commonwealth University athletic director Norwood Teague said Monday he does not expect to interview Auburn coach Jeff Lebo for his school’s opening, according to a report in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Lebo has been unavailable for comment since Teague listed him as a candidate Saturday. Athletic director Jay Jacobs said Sunday he has not been contacted by VCU to seek permission to speak with Lebo.

Lebo’s “hefty buyout,“ according to the Times-Dispatch, appears to be the sticking point in halting the interview process.

Lebo made at least $785,000 this season and his contract runs through 2013. If he were to leave for another job, Auburn would be owed $350,000 per year until 2013, which would total a sum slightly less than $1.5 million.

Teague interviewed Texas assistant coach Russell Springmann and Florida assistant coach Shaka Smart on Saturday and Navy head coach Billy Lange on Monday. He is expected to interview VCU assistant coach Tony Pujol today.

VCU is looking to replace Anthony Grant, who was named Alabama’s new head coach Friday.

Teague and Lebo both graduated from the University of North Carolina in the late 80s.

(Photo credit: Todd Van Emst)