With his long-term future at Auburn up in the air, head coach Bruce Pearl has faced offseason speculation in recent months about a potential leap into politics.
This offseason, rumors have circulated around the basketball community that Pearl might be eyeing a future U.S. Senate run.
At the recent Mike Slive Foundation’s Blue Shoe Ball, Pearl addressed these swirling rumors with a characteristic candor.
“I have not answered the question because I’ve never announced I was running for Senate, have I?” he posed to reporters, per AL.com. “So, how do you answer the question of whether you are or whether you aren’t because I never said I was.”
The buzz began in May when Semafor reported that the Pearl had been discussed by Republicans as a candidate for Tommy Tuberville’s vacated seat following his gubernatorial campaign.
“It’s certainly something that I had considered,” Pearl said. “It’s something I thought a great deal about, but obviously I’m here today and I’m in practice and I’ve got practice tomorrow.”
As Auburn basketball gears up for its first preseason exhibition against Oklahoma State on Oct. 15, the team faces an uphill battle with a revamped roster aiming to return to the Final Four. For now, Pearl is focused on being a ball coach, not a political candidate.
Lee Ann joins the Saturday Down South team, bringing over fifteen years of experience covering the SEC as both a sports journalist and football scout. With her keen eye for talent, she has also flexes her skills as the Director of Recruiting for the Rebel Walk( Ole Miss) Herring, is a staff writer at USA Today Sports Wildcats Wire, where she dives into the thrilling world of Kentucky football and basketball. When fall rolls around, you can catch her on air as an analyst for the Wake up 502 College Football Show on Big X Sports Radio 96.1 FM—because who doesn't love a good game day chat? A proud Brown University alum, Lee Ann balances her time between the sidelines and press box with her passion for coaching her boys' youth lacrosse and savoring a fine glass of bourbon alongside a good cigar. So, whether she's dissecting plays or rallying the next generation of athletes, Lee Ann is your spirited insider ready to tackle all things SEC!
