Gophers players lash out at Minnesota, support Tracy Claeys after firing

The turmoil around the Minnesota Gophers football program runs deep. Tracy Claeys was fired as head coach Tuesday, despite a reasonably successful 9-4 season, in the wake of an ongoing sexual assault investigation surrounding some of his players and his team's near-boycott of the Holiday Bowl in reaction to the university's suspension of those and other players.

Claeys publically sided with the players during the boycott, which certainly colors all the comments you're about to see. But it's clear the Minnesota players are angry in the aftermath of Tuesday's news, as several took to Twitter to share their feelings. Some simply supported Claeys. Others took square aim at the university. It's a big mess, with far more important issues than a coach, but here's what the players are saying.

Buford was one of the 10 players suspended for the Holiday Bowl and one of the players named in the sexual assault investigation.

McCrary was one of the 10 players suspended for the Holiday Bowl.