Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Tony Barbee opens up about Shaq Johnson’s dismissal

Alabama Auburn Basketball

Auburn coach Tony Barbee disputes a call during an NCAA college basketball game against Alabama on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/AL.com, Julie Bennett) MAGS OUT

AP

Two weeks ago, Auburn head coach Tony Barbee dismissed Shaq Johnson from the team following an arrest for possession stemming from a late-night traffic stop.

Johnson had started 21 games and averaged 5.3 points last season for the Tigers. He’s since transferred to Northwest Florida State.

On Tuesday, Barbee opened up about why he took swift and decisive action against Johnson.

“It wasn’t a single incident,” Barbee told Brandon Marcello of AL.com. “It was kind of a pattern of behavior. Unfortunately, he continued to make the wrong decisions, and it was getting to a point where it was affecting the entire team, the entire program, so it was time to cut the cord.”

“It’s like I tell all my guys. Life is about decision making. If you continue to make the wrong decisions in this program, you’re letting everybody know you can’t be a part of it anymore.”

Johnson’s dismissal was the latest piece of bad news to hit Auburn in recent seasons, not the least of which is a point-shaving scandal still hanging over the program thanks to Texas-transfer Varez Ward.

Oh, and since I’m writing about Shaq Johnson, I might as well post this again:

Follow @robdauster