With a program-record 32 wins this season and a Final Four appearance for just the second time ever, Bruce Pearl received another accolade. He earned the NABC Division I Coach of the Year on Tuesday morning, an award voted on by the members of the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Up next is the clash against the Gators and the coach wants program alum Charles Barkley in attendance.
“You know, the only non-family member that to me, other than the Auburn family, will be Sir Charles Barkley. It means so much to Charles that our program is competitive at the highest levels and so obviously, having Charles in the house is pretty special for Auburn.” During an interview with CBS Sports host Jaclyn DeAugustino, the Auburn coach made it clear about having Chuck as his number one supporter. But there was a very funny way in how they reached this conversation.
The CBS host put Bruce Pearl on the spot as she highlighted one of the wild celebrations from 2021. The video showed a shirtless Pearl celebrating wildly with Auburn fans during a Tigers football game. However, that celebration was well received by the fans but not by the 65-year-old’s wife. “My wife has said, enough already with this taking your shirt off, America has seen quite enough of that bad body, that’s actually the incredible bulk not the incredible hulk.”
“My wife has said, enough already with this taking your shirt off, America has seen quite enough of that bad body, that’s actually the incredible bulk not the incredible hulk.”
– Bruce Pearl pic.twitter.com/qFLYqoOPwJ
— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) April 1, 2025
With 2 wins away from creating history, another wild celebration from the coach won’t hurt anybody. What if Charles Barkley joins him in the fun? After all, the head coach has said multiple times how much he wants to win the championship for Chuck.
Bruce Pearl and his admiration for the 76ers legend continues
Before the Elite Eight game, Sir Charles wanted his alma mater to be locked in. “I’m proud of our guys, but we can’t celebrate. We’re the number one overall seed. We didn’t come here to get to the Elite 8.” Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Tigers did not disappoint as they scripted a historic 70-64 win. Thus, they proceeded to the Final Four for only the second time in their history. In 2019, they made their first-ever Final Four, and the expectations have skyrocketed since.
The Head Coach understands the pressure and wants to deliver for Chuck. Before the showdown against Michigan State, Bruce Pearl was all fired up to win. “Somehow, I’ve got to find a way to win so that Charles Barkley can give Magic Johnson some crap and represent.” He continued, “Magic’s always floating those rings at Charles, right? He’s always floating those rings, and Charles ain’t got any rings. I’ve got to try to get some rings for Charles, so he can float them back at Magic.”
Magic Johnson is a proud Michigan State alum who won the championship with the program and then had a historic career with the Lakers. Barkley, notoriously, never won an NBA title. However, Pearl is now looking to add a ring to Sir Charles’ collection. The Final Four matchups will take place on Saturday, April 5. Auburn will face Florida at 6:09 p.m. ET. This is only the second time since seeding began in 1979, all four No. 1 seeds have made it to the Final Four. So, it’s literally anybody’s game!
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