Hugh Freeze congratulates Bruce Pearl on legendary career
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
Auburn football coach Hugh Freeze has a special friendship with Bruce Pearl. Now that the legendary Auburn basketball coach is retiring, Freeze took time out of his press conference on Monday to speak effusively about the personal impact he felt.
Freeze, who has been at Auburn since 2023, is grateful to have grown close to Pearl, who is the winningest coach in the history of the basketball program.
“Congratulations to Coach Pearl. His record speaks for itself. The Final Fours and the SEC titles, his draft picks and NCAA Tournaments,” Freeze said. “But truthfully, all of that is great but he’s truly 1 of the best men that I’ve ever met. He’s endeared himself to be as a friend and has been there every step of the way for me.”
Freeze reiterated that Pearl’s warm personality makes him endearing to everyone he comes across.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever met anyone that makes everybody in the room feel honored like he does,” Freeze said. “I know I’ll still get to laugh with him and see him at the lake and be around him but certainly we’ll miss being in the foxhole together somewhat.”
Freeze also congratulated new Auburn basketball coach Steven Pearl, the son of Bruce Pearl who has been on the staff for the last 11 seasons.
“Congratulations to his son Steven on this great opportunity to step in and start his career as a head coach at a wonderful place like Auburn,” Freeze said. “He’s put in years of investment in getting this program where it is.”
