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(AUBURN, Ala.) The Auburn Tigers fired head football coach Gus Malzahn after eight seasons, the university’s athletic director Allen Greene announced Sunday.
Defensive coordinator Kevin Steele will serve as interim head coach.
The move comes after Auburn defeated Mississippi State 24-10 on Saturday to finish the regular season with a 6-4 record.
Malzahn has led the Tigers to two SEC West titles, a conference title and a trip to the BCS National Championship game in 2014.
"After evaluating the state of the Auburn football program, we've decided that it was time to make a change in leadership,” Greene said in a press release. “We appreciate everything that Gus did for the program over the last eight seasons. We will begin a search immediately for a coach that can help the Auburn program consistently compete at the highest level."
Malzahn compiled a 68-35 record as Auburn’s head coach, including a 39-27 mark in Southeastern Conference play.
"Coach Malzahn led the Auburn football program with honor and integrity,” Auburn President Jay Gogue said in the release. “We appreciate his service to Auburn Athletics, Auburn University and, in particular, our student-athletes. We wish him and Kristi all the best."