Colorado's Embree, Auburn's Chizik fired

Jon Embree is out as head football coach at the University of Colorado after just two seasons and four wins in 25 games.

Embree told The Associated Press he was heading into a meeting with his players Sunday night and didn't want to comment on his firing other than to confirm he'd been let go by athletic director Mike Bohn earlier in the day.

Embree, who had three years left on his contract, said he would talk at a news conference Monday.

Even coming off the worst season in the program's 123-year history, Embree's quick hook took his players by surprise.

"It [stinks]," quarterback Jordan Webb said after Embree met with the players at the football facilities Sunday night. "We all really liked Coach Embree a lot. And he loved us, also. Sad to see him go. We all respect him the utmost. He's a great man."

Other coaches fired Sunday included Auburn's Gene Chizik, Boston College's Frank Spaziani, Purdue's Danny Hope, and North Carolina State's Tom O'Brien.

Chizik was fired by Auburn after one of the most stunning and dramatic falls in college football history. The Tigers won the second national championship in program history behind Cam Newton in 2010. This season, Auburn finished 3-9 and did not win a Southeastern Conference game. The Tigers lost the Iron Bowl 49-0 to rival Alabama.