Auburn HC Bruce Pearl's name reportedly"floated" as potential successor to Senator Tommy Tuberville

Apart from being a vocal leader of his Auburn Tigers basketball program, Bruce Pearl is also open about his political views. He has spoken against antisemitism and in support of Israel. Now, as Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a former Auburn football coach, prepares to run for governor of Alabama, Pearl's name has been linked to the Senate seat.

The basketball coach reportedly plans to run. He is already the U.S. Israel Education Association's chairman and was at Capitol Hill last week.

"With Sen. Tommy Tuberville announcing a run for governor on Tuesday, there’s already discussion about who will replace him. And one of the names being floated is Auburn men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl", said Semafor's Burgess Everett.

The report also cites one source close to the situation who said they've "heard" of Pearl's plans to run for the Senate.

"One person familiar with the situation said they heard Pearl plans to run — he’s chairman of the US Israel Education Association, and he was on Capitol Hill just last week. His X feed, meanwhile, isn’t what one would typically expect of a head college coach: One of his most recent posts calls for dismantling Iran’s nuclear program."

The source also said that while Bruce Pearl might have an ambition to officially enter politics, there are some who believe that his on-court success with the Auburn men's basketball team might keep him from doing so.

"Despite his clear interest in some political issues, others are skeptical Pearl would ever get into the race and see him as a longshot given his success on the court."

The Auburn Tigers enjoyed much success under Pearl's leadership last season, making a deep March Madness run. However they were eventually stopped in their tracks by eventual champions, the Florida Gators.

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Tommy Tuberville does not want Bruce Pearl to be his successor

The narrative of Bruce Pearl's candidacy sheds light on Tommy Tuberville's journey to the Senate seat. Tuberville coached football for four decades and spent 11 years leading Auburn's program. However, he does not want Pearl to follow in his footsteps from athletics to politics. Instead, he wants the coach to continue building the Tigers' program.

"The compensation is a little bit different," he said to Semafor. "I wouldn't let him do it because he did such a good job at Auburn. We need him there."

Tuberville leveraged his coaching fame and outsider stature to secure a Senate seat in 2020, defeating former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. He also won against incumbent Doug Jones months later.

Bruce Pearl is one of the highest-paid coaches in men's college basketball. He is slated to earn nearly $6 million in base pay in the 2025-26 season.