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'Pardon The Interruption' Star Is Happy To See Bruce Pearl Retiring

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 10:50 AM ET

One prominent ESPN personality doesn't mind Bruce Pearl leaving the college sports landscape.

Pearl announced his retirement on Monday, ending an 11-season run at Auburn after leading the Tigers to the Final Four earlier this year. He'll serve as an ambassador for the school's athletic department while transferring the head coaching job to his son, Steven Pearl.

The 64-year-old said he won't run for office despite speculation that Pearl would pursue Alabama's United States Senate seat vacated by former football coach Tommy Tuberville.

On Monday's Pardon The Interruption, Tony Kornheiser paid "Happy Trails" to Pearl. His longtime ESPN co-host, Michael Wilbon, didn't give Pearl a warm sendoff.

"He had become a divisive person, it seems to me, intentionally," Wilbon said, via Awful Announcing. "And I hope there was pressure to just get him out."

"Really?" Kornheiser asked, seemingly surprised. "I always liked him."

"Used to," Wilbon replied.

Pearl's dive into politics

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 20: Head coach Bruce Pearl of the Auburn Tigers reacts in the first half against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 20, 2022 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Wilbon didn't elaborate on his stance, but he was likely referring to Pearl's political views.

Pearl has increasingly used his platform for politics. Along with backing President Donald Trump and other right-wing pundits, he's a vocal defender of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, which the United Nations labeled a genocide last week.

Last month, Pearl criticized Barack Obama for sharing a New York Times article about "preventable starvation" in Gaza caused by Israel's military blocking aid. Pearl blamed Obama for a conflict between Israel and Hamas that ignited after Obama's presidency.

Pearl's coaching legacy

It's unlikely Auburn drove out Pearl as Wilbon suggested. The Tigers went 108-33 in his last four seasons, winning last season's SEC regular season title before reaching the NCAA tournament's national semifinal.

Pearl went 706–268 as a head coach with 477 Division I victories this century. He led Southern Indiana to a Division II championship.

"I've been a part of college basketball for almost 50 years, and the truth is, it's time," Pearl said in his retirement video. "I told myself when I got to the point where I could not give it my all, or I wasn't necessarily 100 percent, or I couldn't be the relentless competitor that [Auburn fans] expected of me, that it was going to be time."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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