AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn fired baseball coach John Pawlowski on Monday hours after the Tigers missed the NCAA regionals for the third straight season.
"I want to thank coach Pawlowski for all he has done for Auburn baseball over the past five years," athletic director Jay Jacobs said in a statement. "Coach Pawlowski worked extremely hard throughout his time here, and he has been a great representative for Auburn University. I have concluded it is time for our baseball program to move in a new direction. We have a rich baseball heritage and our goal is to compete for championships. I believe a change is necessary to help us achieve that goal, and I look forward to finding a coach who can get us there."
Auburn is seeking its fourth coach since Hal Baird retired after the 2000 season. Baird led the Tigers to the College World Series twice in 16 seasons but they haven't been able to approach that success since.
Pawlowski went 167-126 in five seasons with the Tigers but posted a 71-79 record in Southeastern Conference games. Auburn went 33-23 last season and lost to Alabama in the first round of the SEC tournament.
The Tigers weren't among the 64 teams picked for regionals on Monday.
"I appreciate the opportunity I had here at Auburn and I wish nothing but the best for this program and Auburn University," Pawlowski said. "I am grateful for the student-athletes that have played in this program and wish them all the success in the future."
Pawlowski led Auburn to an SEC Western Division title and NCAA regional appearance in 2010, the Tigers' first postseason berth in five years. His last two teams went 13-17 in league play.