USA Today wonders if NIL has facilitated recruiting environment where Bruce Pearl can rip Kamala Harris
USA Today's Dan Wolken wondered aloud if NIL is the reason Auburn's Bruce Pearl feels so emboldened to openly rip one presidential candidate, Democrat nominee Kamala Harris, without fear of losing out on certain recruits.
Pearl had called Harris's beliefs "socialist" and "woke" in a quote tweet in support of Arkansas senator Tom Cotton.
"Serious question: Has NIL changed the game to such an extent that a college coach can say stuff like this on social media and not fear any negative recruiting impact in households where the VP is likely quite popular?" Wolken asked.
Wolken explained to one fan the difference between Pearl and Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, who spoke at the DNC in support of Harris a week prior.
"I guess you’ve missed the point. Steve Kerr doesn’t have to convince families to send their teenage kids to a college campus for personal and professional development in a highly competitive recruiting environment," Wolken responded to a fan who pointed out that if Kerr is allowed to share his political beliefs, then so can Pearl.
Bruce Pearl's job isn't all that different than Steve Kerr's in the age of NIL
In the age of NIL, Pearl's job as head coach at Auburn University isn't all that much different from Kerr's with the Warriors. Recruiting is basically free agency now, and just like Kerr's political beliefs, Pearl's can positively or negatively impact a player's decision.
Considering Pearl looks for and gets most of his talent from the transfer portal, the whole idea of teenage kids and their families hanging on his every word is a bit misguided. More often than not, Pearl is looking for grown upperclassmen looking to get paid. He's likely also looking for character fits on his team.
Him speaking out on his political beliefs can sway recruits away from the Plains, but that's on him. It's not clear if Wolken wants Pearl silenced, but if he does, he's the one missing the point.