Auburn Basketball: Jeff Lebo's Departure Signals End of Program Neglience

The Auburn Athletic Department pulled the trigger on Jeff Lebo today, firing him after six seasons on the plains. 

Lebo was 96-93 while on the plains.  He only had two winning seasons overall, and only one in the SEC.  Auburn went to the NIT in the 2008-09 season. 

After Lebo took over for Cliff Ellis in 2004, many had wondered if Auburn would return to the NCAA tournament. 

Lebo tried to use his guard play as a launchpad into the NCAA, but seemingly always fell short. 

The bottom line is that he simply didn't win. 

Auburn is basically at the same point they were when Lebo was hired.  Auburn has hardly any depth as four seniors played their final game last night in Nashville. 

As much as the situation is bleak now, this maybe the start of something that Auburn has needed for a long time. 

Auburn's last NCAA appearance was in 2003.  Except during the 08-09 season, Auburn didn't even sniff an at-large bid. 

Auburn Arena is now the center point of Auburn Basketball.  The new facilities shows that Auburn has made a commitment to the men's and women's basketball programs.

Athletic Director Jay Jacobs has signified that basketball on the plains will no longer be considered a sideshow.  He is committing the resources to make Auburn basketball relevant in the SEC again.  

As every fan knows, basketball is not the main attraction on campus.  Auburn men's basketball will not be a quick fix.   

But Auburn basketball has been under appreciated for a long time. 

Lebo's firing is the final chapter in the Beard-Eaves Coliseum's history. 

Jacobs looks to make Auburn Arena the start of something new for a long neglected program.