LUBBOCK, Texas — Tommy Tuberville says he's bringing "new vigor" from his year away from coaching as he prepares to take the reins of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

The university announced Saturday it had hired the 55-year-old former Mississippi and Auburn coach.

"After 25 years of coaching you need to recharge your batteries," he said inside the lobby of his Lubbock hotel. "Last year being out was great for me. I'm fired up, looking forward to it."

Tuberville was set to be introduced on Sunday.

He replaces Mike Leach, who was fired last month amid allegations he mistreated a player who suffered a concussion.

Tuberville stepped down at Auburn in December 2008, ending a 10-year tenure that included a perfect season and a string of teams that contended for Southeastern Conference championships.