Anderson withdraws from Auburn job

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Posted 6:09AM on Thursday, April 8, 2004

AUBURN, ALABAMA - UAB coach Mike Anderson withdrew from consideration for the Auburn job Wednesday afternoon, ending a weeklong flirtation with a cross-state move. While Anderson withdrew, Tennessee-Chattanooga basketball coach Jeff Lebo was interviewed Wednesday by interim President Ed Richardson, who had brought in Virginia Commonwealth's Jeff Capel two days earlier. It wasn't clear if Auburn planned any more interviews. Anderson had canceled a trip to Auburn scheduled for Tuesday, interviewing instead with University of Miami athletic director Paul Dee in Atlanta. The UAB coach is a finalist for the Miami job, the Miami Herald reported Wednesday. ``I am officially withdrawing my name from consideration for the men's basketball head coaching position at Auburn University,'' Anderson said in a brief statement released through UAB's media relations office. ``I would like to thank Auburn and Hal Baird for their interest. ``I am still in discussions with UAB and (athletic director) Watson Brown.'' He offered no indication whether he is still interested in the Miami job, but Brown had indicated earlier Wednesday that he and Anderson both knew the uncertain situation ``has gone far enough.'' ``Something's got to give, and we sure hope Mike stays right here,'' Brown said. ``It's not just me pushing Mike. I think Mike understands it's time. We've got to get going now. We have a very proud, strong basketball program here, and we've got to keep it going.'' Brown offered Anderson a new deal before the Conference USA tournament, and said he wants a chance to counter any offer the second-year head coach might receive. Brown said he has ``a short list'' of potential candidates just in case. Anderson led the Blazers on an impressive NCAA tournament run, including an upset of overall top seed Kentucky in UAB's first NCAA tournament berth since 1999. Lebo and Capel also bring impressive basketball credentials as former starters for North Carolina and Duke, respectively. Lebo, 37, led Tennessee-Chattanooga to a 40-20 record in two seasons after inheriting a team with no returning starters and no signees. He led Tennessee Tech to back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference championships and is a former assistant under Eddie Fogler at Vanderbilt and South Carolina. The 29-year-old Capel led VCU to the Colonial Athletic Association's regular season and tournament championships. Like Anderson, Capel has already received a new contract offer from his current school. VCU athletic director Richard Sander, who said the school's lawyers have advised that the terms of the offer be kept private, said he hadn't spoken to Capel since Saturday but hopes to hear his intentions by the end of the week. ``I'm sure Auburn can pay a whole lot more than VCU can, but I'm not sure it's a better job,'' Sander said. ``VCU's probably more committed to basketball. It's our flagship sport. We've had success. We have a good facility. We have a good fan base. We have a lot of good things here. ``Those are the factors he's going to have to really look at.'' Capel was out of the office Wednesday and unavailable for comment.