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Bruce Pearl's daughter shoots down long held theory about the former Tennessee Vols basketball coach

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Jan 27, 2025 3:54 PM ET

Current Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl is one of the very few former Tennessee Vols head coaches who is still a popular figure in Knoxville.

That's because no one on Rocky Top actually wanted to see Pearl fired in 2011. But because of NCAA violations that look silly in retrospect, Pearl was forced out at Tennessee after a fun run that lasted six seasons.

For years, folks have suggested that Pearl would prefer to still be the head coach at Tennessee instead of at Auburn.

Pearl's daughter, Jacqui, shot down that theory over the weekend after Auburn's 53-51 win against Tennessee.

"This take is always hilarious," tweeted Jacqui on Sunday in response to the idea that Bruce would prefer to still be in Knoxville.

This take is always hilarious https://t.co/VMHcMJbtu2
— Jacqui Pearl (@JacquiPearl5) January 27, 2025

Pearl, who has served as the Tigers' head coach since 2014, has a good thing going at Auburn. I'm sure he wishes things wouldn't have gone down the way they did at Tennessee, but he's rebounded quite well at Auburn.

Ultimately, I think there's a difference in wishing things had turned out differently at Tennessee and wishing he was still at Tennessee. I don't think Pearl is eager to give up what he's built at Auburn.

To be a successful head coach, you truly need a "let's go 1-0 each day" mindset. You can't spend time looking in the past or in the future while expecting to "win the day". It may sound cliché, but it's the only way to have success as a head coach in a league as competitive as the SEC.

And I think it's obvious Pearl has that mindset. So while Pearl undoubtedly is fond of his time at Tennessee and proud of what he accomplished with the Vols, it's clear he's living in the moment and embracing this time in his life at Auburn.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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