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From Rocky Top to the Jungle: Bruce Pearl Reflects on Auburn’s Unwavering Support, His Journey Back to Coaching, and Bold Championship Aspirations for the NCAA Tournament** **Auburn, AL** – Bruce Pearl’s coaching journey has been nothing short of remarkable. From his success at Tennessee to the lowest point of his career, where he thought he might never coach at the Division I level again, to Auburn welcoming him with open arms, Pearl has never forgotten the feeling of stepping onto the hardwood at Neville Arena. Now, with Auburn at the top of the rankings, he’s making a bold statement: “We are the No. 1 team, and we are going to play like the No. 1 team.” ### **A Special Connection With Auburn Fans** Long before Pearl became Auburn’s head coach, he had already felt the passion of the Tigers’ fanbase. As the head coach of Tennessee from 2005 to 2011, he recalls his visits to Auburn and the electrifying atmosphere inside their home arena. “I remember coming here with Tennessee, and even though we were the opponent, there was just something special about this place,” Pearl said. “The Auburn fans are incredible. They love basketball, they love their team, and the energy in the building was always unreal.” But in 2011, his world changed. After NCAA violations led to his firing from Tennessee, Pearl found himself without a coaching job, wondering if his time in Division I basketball had come to an end. ### **Auburn Gave Pearl a Second Chance** For three years, Pearl was on the outside looking in. At one point, he truly believed his future was in coaching at a smaller school or even returning to **Division II**, where he had started his career at **Southern Indiana**. But Auburn saw something in him—his passion, his ability to build programs, and his unmatched energy for the game. “When Auburn called, it wasn’t just about a job. It was about a home,” Pearl said, visibly emotional. “This place gave me a reason to coach again. They believed in me when others wouldn’t. I’ll always be grateful for that.” Under Pearl’s leadership, Auburn has transformed from an SEC afterthought into a national powerhouse. He’s recruited elite talent, built a winning culture, and guided the Tigers to an SEC Championship and their first-ever **Final Four appearance in 2019**. ### **Bold Claims for the NCAA Tournament: “We Are the No. 1 Team”** Now, Auburn is once again in the spotlight, ranked No. 1 in the country and heading into the NCAA Tournament with sky-high expectations. And Pearl isn’t shying away from them. “We are going for the championship,” he declared. “We’re the No. 1 team, and we are going to play like the No. 1 team.” Pearl knows what it takes to compete on the biggest stage, and he’s instilling that mindset in his players. “It’s not about rankings or hype. It’s about showing up, proving it every night, and fighting for every possession. That’s what Auburn basketball is about.” As March Madness approaches, one thing is clear: Bruce Pearl is leading Auburn with gratitude, fire, and an unwavering belief that this team can go all the way. For him, it’s not just about basketball—it’s about proving that second chances can lead to greatness.

March 3, 2025 352soccer 0

From Rocky Top to the Jungle: Bruce Pearl Reflects on Auburn’s Unwavering Support, His Journey Back to Coaching, and Bold Championship Aspirations for the NCAA […]