The transition from Bruce to Steven Pearl as Auburn Tigers head basketball coach was something many saw coming, just not as quickly as it happened. Many figured the 2025-26 season could be his send-off.
One former player had a hunch it could happen, though, and took action, hitting the transfer portal in the offseason.
Chad Baker-Mazara, who left AU for the USC Trojans this offseason, revealed that he felt Bruce fading away by the end of the 2024-25 season.
“Yes and no, I would say,” Baker-Mazara said when asked if he saw Bruce's retirement coming.
“Because the way he was talking to me at the end of the year, he was fading away. But at the same time, I couldn’t say, ‘Yeah, I knew,’ because I didn’t. But the way he was talking to me, I was getting hints and pieces.”
In a way, that's sad that players felt their head coach disconnect emotionally. In another, it shows that Steven was taking the reins during a Final Four run.
As bittersweet as quotes come, truly.
Chad Baker-Mazara gets candid on Bruce Pearl
It's clear CBM loves Bruce. Truthfully, a lot of the grief he received in hindsight was unbecoming and unnecessary, considering he had a feeling something was wrong.
Baker-Mazara shared the impact Bruce's retirement had on him personally.
“A little upset because the basketball world lost a legend,” he said.
“He’s a guy who changed my life. Gave me an opportunity when I was in junior college, and even though I’m not there this year, I’m going to forever be grateful for him because he believed in me when nobody did.”
Perhaps CBM didn't believe enough in Steven. Either way, he contributed to several great years that ended in disappointment but that will help define Bruce's legacy on the Plains.