Steven Pearl jokes Bruce Pearl regrets getting Todd Golden the Florida job
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As the energy of SEC football fills the air, SEC basketball season is just around the corner! This week, Birmingham played host to the much-anticipated SEC Tipoff event, where men’s and women’s basketball programs gathered to preview the upcoming season. Among them was first-year Auburn head coach Steven Pearl.
In a lighthearted moment during the media preview, Pearl quipped about a decision his father, Bruce Pearl, might be second-guessing: helping Todd Golden secure his coaching position in Gainesville.
When asked about influential coaches in his development as a mentor, Steven fondly mentioned Golden as a key figure.
“He was the one that brought analytics into our program when we first got to Auburn,” Pearl said on Wednesday. “Todd had a really big impact on me as an assistant when he was at Auburn. It’s pretty well-documented that we’ve stayed in touch ever since he left Auburn to go to San Francisco.
Bruce Pearl coached Golden on the 2009 USA Team before bringing him on board as an assistant at Auburn. In 2022, it was Bruce who passionately advocated for Golden’s hiring at Florida as the successor to Mike White. Florida listened, and gained a title as a result.
“I think (Bruce Pearl) might regret that now because Todd has turned into one helluva head coach and they kicked our ass last year a couple times,” Pearl joked.
Since stepping into his role at Florida, Golden has achieved remarkable success, leading his team to clinch the 2025 national championship. Ironically, this former mentee has also secured significant victories against Auburn along the way.
Looking ahead, Steven Pearl and his Auburn Tigers are ranked as the preseason No. 20 team and will tip off their season on Nov. 3 against Bethune-Cookman. Meanwhile, defending national champions Florida are set to launch their campaign against the No. 13 Arizona Wildcats on the same day. Pearl and Golden will face off against each other for the first time on Jan. 26 in Gainesville.
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!
