AUBURN, Alabama -- John Pawlowski is out as Auburn's baseball coach after five seasons of mixed results and three straight seasons without an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Auburn athletics director Jay Jacobs confirmed the decision Monday afternoon, just hours removed from learning of the Tigers' postseason fate.

"I want to thank Coach Pawlowski for all he has done for Auburn baseball over the past five years," Jacobs said in a statement. "Coach Pawlowski worked extremely hard throughout his time here, and he has been a great representative for Auburn University. I have concluded it is time for our baseball program to move in a new direction. We have a rich baseball heritage and our goal is to compete for championships. I believe a change is necessary to help us achieve that goal, and I look forward to finding a coach who can get us there."

Auburn barely missed out on the NCAA Tournament, sliding out of contention because of a weak non-conference schedule. The Tigers won their last three regular season series -- all against NCAA Tournament teams -- and were among the first "two or three" teams to fall out of the list of candidates Monday, said Dennis Farrell, the NCAA selection committee chairman.

Pawlowski was 167-126 in five seasons with the Tigers, who won the SEC Western Division championship in 2010 and hosted an NCAA regional. The Tigers have missed the NCAA Tournament in seven of their last eight seasons, including four seasons under Pawlowski.

"I appreciate the opportunity I had here at Auburn and I wish nothing but the best for this program and Auburn University," Pawlowski said in a statement. "I am grateful for the student-athletes that have played in this program and wish them all the success in the future."

The Tigers struggled at the start of the season, going 1-8 in their first three SEC series. They also failed to schedule strong non-conference teams, and it ultimately led to the Tigers missing the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season.

Pawlowski's annual guaranteed contract is worth $340,000. He is due $415,250 total because of his buyout, according to documents obtained by AL.com earlier this year. His contract was scheduled to end in 2015.