Auburn fans are invited to get a “sneak peek” at Auburn Arena on A-Day, April 17.

The dusty footprints Tony Barbee left in his path as he strolled to the dais Thursday were proof enough.

Not even 5 minutes off the plane Thursday afternoon, right there in the pilot’s lounge of the Auburn-Opelika Robert G. Pitts Airport, next to two half-day-old pots of coffee, Tony Barbee’s attention went right to his players.

Frankie Sullivan didn’t need someone to fill him in on the details about his new basketball coach.

Tony Barbee, a 38-year-old up-and-comer who rejuvenated UTEP basketball over the past four seasons, will take over another rebuilding project as the new head coach at Auburn.

Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs certainly appears to be keen on the basketball scene in Texas.

On the same day Auburn’s former basketball coach landed a new gig, a new face emerged in the school’s search for his replacement.

If Tubby Smith is, in fact, interested in the Auburn job and on the verge of taking it, he’ll have to go back on his word and disappoint plenty of Minnesota fans on his way back to the South.