Bruce Pearl told Jon Rothstein that he didn't have much more time as the Auburn Tigers basketball program's head coach. The Jewish Insider's Emily Jacobs followed that up by revealing Pearl likely wasn't going to make a run for Alabama's junior US Senate seat.
Jacobs shared a key caveat:
"Sources close to Pearl tell me he is unlikely to enter the contest, though they stress that the Auburn coach has not officially decided against running yet. Pearl wants to give himself a few more weeks in case he were to change his mind," Jacobs wrote.
So is Pearl a shoo-in to be a future Alabama politician? CBS Sports' Kyle Boone relayed that a political run is certain at some point.
"Sources previously told CBS Sports' Matt Norlander earlier this summer that Pearl would not actually go through with running for a Senate seat this year," Boone wrote.
"Whether Pearl does or does not pursue a career politically now, it seems possible he does so in the near future."
Tommy Tuberville doesn't want Pearl to replace him as the former Auburn football coach makes his gubernatorial run. He's happy about Pearl leaning towards not running for the US Senate, but he'll never appreciate the day Bruce calls it quits.
Pearl dropped a key nugget while talking to Rothstein that could indicate when he feels it's time to move on:
He wants to retire on top.
"I think it's kind of a balance of life, of time, of work," Pearl said. "I love Auburn. I truly do. ... Part of the thing is, I also want to [retire] when I'm on top of my game."
Consider a championship in 2026, a fully possible scenario with Tahaad Pettiford back in the fold and the No. 9 Transfer Portal haul in the country, the final go-round for Pearl. Unfortunately, a Final Four may also be the end.
One figures a disappointing ending makes Pearl come back. But do Tiger fans want to cheer against a deep run?
Pearl is in the home stretch of his Auburn career and it's sad. At least Steven Pearl will take over when Bruce retires, so we know the program is in good hands.