Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn listens to an official's call during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)Auburn fired football coach Gus Malzahn, ending an eight-year run that began with a trip to the national championship game. The Tigers also were upset by a struggling South Carolina, which wound up firing coach Will Muschamp during the season. “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 statement. Auburn will owe Malzahn a $21.45 million buyout for the remaining four years of a seven-year, $49 million deal.

Georgia defensive back Richard LeCounte (2) tackles Kentucky quarterback Joey Gatewood (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Oct. 31, 2020, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)ATHENS, Ga. – Georgia star safety Richard LeCounte was injured in a motorcycle accident shortly after the Bulldogs returned to Athens from their victory at Kentucky. LeCounte, one of the team's top defensive players, was taken to the trauma center at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center. Courson did not say how long LeCounte might be out of action for No. “He was wearing his helmet and (that) saved his life.”The Journal-Constitution said LeCounte sustained a shoulder injury, bruised ribs and several cuts and scrapes. “Glory to God.”If LeCounte is out for an extended period, the Bulldogs will likely go with junior Christopher Smith at the safety spot.

Quarterback Joey Gatewood of Auburn scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of their game against Kent State. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)AUBURN, Ala. - AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - Auburn backup quarterback Joey Gatewood, a former Bartram Trail High School star, has left the team and plans to transfer. Tigers coach Gus Malzahn said Wednesday Gatewood opted to enter the NCAA's transfer portal to give himself more time to find a school to compete for a starting job. Malzahn says Gatewood informed him of his decision before Tuesday's practice. The 6-foot-5, 233-pound redshirt freshman lost a battle for the starting job to freshman Bo Nix.