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Paul Finebaum says Bruce Pearl belongs on Auburn’s Mt. Rushmore
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Paul Finebaum has been tuned into Auburn athletics for much of his career. So, when the popular SEC Network host has some insight into Bruce Pearl’s career legacy with the Tigers, it’s worth listening.
During his Monday appearance for “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning,” Finebaum was asked for his thoughts on where Pearl ranks in the history of Auburn coaches across all athletics. While Finebaum did not put Pearl at the very top, he admitted there are very few coaches in front of the longtime basketball coach at this point in his career.
“I think you’d be hard-pressed to find very many (coaches),” said Finebaum. “Certainly Pat Dye and Shug Jordan are always at the top of their list. Mt. Rushmore has 4 people on it, I think there’s room for Bruce Pearl on Auburn’s Mt. Rushmore.”
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It’s hard to disagree with Finebaum’s assessment with Pearl already the winningest coach in program history. Pearl also has the Tigers on the cusp of a 6th NCAA Tournament appearance during his tenure and has led Auburn to a 3rd regular season SEC Championship.
As it relates to the national championship picture, Finebaum believes Pearl’s legacy is already entact with or without a ring based on leading the Tigers to the 2019 national semifinals:
“National championships are where it’s at. In basketball, a Final Four will probably take you farther than anything else. There’s nothing quite like it in college football,” Finebaum admitted. “Losing the national title in football does not carry very well. Just ask the coach in Tuscaloosa this morning.
“But a Final Four, it’s a conversation piece. And if Bruce Pearl or Nate Oats never win a national championship, the day they leave their job it will still be ‘Bruce Pearl, whose brilliant career at Auburn was highlighted by a national championship run in 2019 and let’s say 2025.’ Football it’s more (heavy on legacies).”
Regardless of Pearl’s legacy, it has to be said that it will feel like a disappointment if the Tigers do not at least punch another Final Four ticket. Auburn secured the No. 1 seed for the SEC Basketball Tournament over the weekend and is still in line to potentially grab the No. 1 overall seed in March Madness.
We’ll soon find out if that’s enough for Pearl to lead the Tigers to the promised land.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
