Bruce Pearl, the Warbird King of Lee County, would be foolish to consider leaving the magical world of dreams he created from nothing that floats above Auburn Arena.
Everyone in basketball understands that.
The Auburn administration knows it too.
The NCAA, who knows nothing, ever, would probably consider holding a parade through the streets of Tuscaloosa if Pearl willingly gave up her kingdom amid those untouchable Auburn clouds.
Rest assured, Auburn, because Pearl is not stupid. In fact, he’s a pretty smart guy with notable experience. That’s why, on days like Thursday, when Pearl’s name was once again tied to the University of Louisville, Auburn fans should be happy, and maybe even do a little pre-game pre-game. -end.
Auburn plays a home game against Oklahoma on Saturday, Alabama visits on Tuesday, and auburn-hued fantasy skies, for once, aren’t starting to fall just as things are looking up for the Tigers.
RELATED: Pearl asked if he was related to Louisville after the report
RELATED: Auburn Arena facility upgrade is on board meeting agenda
RELATED: Auburn women’s hoops upset Tennessee’s No. 4
GOOD MAN: Auburn hoops lost greatness on Kentucky coach
Pearl doesn’t suddenly think of going to Louisville, just as her team is finally ranked No. 1 for the first time in school history and the students camp out before games. It’s the end of January. Auburn basketball has captured something unique and special both on the court and among its fans and alumni. The only thing Pearl thinks about is winning a national championship. If anything, this latest message board fodder should only be taken as a signal that Pearl and Auburn are trying to take care of all possible distractions now so his team can focus all their energy on winning the SEC. in March and win a No. 1 Seed.
Auburn’s basketball rise is one of the best stories in the sport. Nobody’s letting this slip through the door at Louisville, a school that fired legendary coach Rick Pitino amid the FBI’s investigation into college basketball.
Auburn was also part of that investigation, and Pearl kept his job. Now rumor has it he’s considering leaving for the same program that reflexively fired one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history? See how ridiculous that sounds?
Pearl doesn’t need to prove herself by going to Louisville. He’s the most popular man in Auburn, and King Warbird is going after Kentucky very well these days from his perch high above the Plains.
The Auburn coach is in line for a monster contract extension from a school that is desperately money-dealing by nature and has desperately wanted something like this dream team for decades.
Auburn is the envy of the country…in basketball. It locks. When Pearl comes to the table, he can name his prize. John Calipari earns over $8 million a year in Kentucky. Pearl could be worth more to Auburn.
Auburn basketball is paying for football coaching buyouts…crazy days.
Pearl is poised to be one of the highest paid coaches in college basketball (and possibly the highest), and he’ll be worth every penny. With a squad like this, and with boosters peeking through the skies, it’s smart to get the deal done as soon as possible.
Louisville fired its coach this week, sparking this latest rumor, but Pearl ($3.98 million a year) was already earning more than Chris Mack ($3.81 million). How much Pearl would be worth to a school like Louisville is not the same thinking exercise as how much Pearl is worth to Auburn.
Put it like this. He could be twice as valuable to Auburn as football coach Bryan Harsin, and Harsin makes $5 million a year.
Auburn’s payback with Pearl is just beginning. Each game is like a recruitment video for future students. Each campsite is a memory for a future booster. Every day Auburn is ranked No. 1 in the nation sets a new record.
They’re hanging a banner for former Auburn coach Sonny Smith on Saturday, and he deserves it, but Pearl has already accomplished more at Auburn than one of the program’s immortalized legends. That tells you everything you need to know about Pearl’s value to the Plainsmen, but something Pearl said Thursday sounded like a hint of what’s to come.
During his press conference previewing the game against Oklahoma, Pearl told the story of Smith visiting one of Pearl’s practice clinics in the 90s. What Smith built in Auburn was amazing, said Pearl, before adding that “what we’re starting” were also great times.
Auburn is now a basketball school, so now is not the time for fun.
Joseph Goodman is a columnist for the Alabama Media Group, and author of “We Want Bama: A season of hope and the formation of Nick Saban’s ‘ultimate team'”. You can find him on Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr.