Overview
- Auburn confirmed it fired general manager Brian Kloman after reporting showed he knew an incoming transfer had taken university courses in Europe and did not share that information with other staff.
- The transfer, 24-year-old Lithuanian Mantas Rubstavicius, voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit against the NCAA and said he will pursue a playing opportunity in Europe rather than continue to seek clearance to play for Auburn.
- Court filings and reporting show Rubstavicius had signed binding revenue-sharing and financial aid agreements with Auburn but lost his final appeal in October after questions over prior overseas coursework surfaced.
- Sources say Rubstavicius declined to sign an affidavit denying prior college enrollment once the overseas courses became known, a development that damaged his legal case and precipitated his withdrawal.
- The timing — with Kloman hired in March and the season days away — raises fresh questions for athletic director John Cohen and coach Steven Pearl about internal communication, eligibility protocols, and roster readiness.