Auburn AD John Cohen expects Bruce Pearl to coach in 2025-26 amid rumors of run for Senate

On May 27th, Alabama senator [and former college football coach] Tommy Tuberville announced his plans to run for governor of Alabama in 2026. Ahead of the announcement, a name was floated as a potential replacement for his U.S. Senate seat – Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl.

Pearl signed a contract extension at Auburn in 2022 worth $6.28 million per year through 2030. He has a 244-123 overall record with the Tigers and led the program to its only two Final Four appearances in history. This past season, Auburn became the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and finished with a 32-6 overall record, including a 15-3 mark in SEC play.

He has been very outspoken about his political opinions, most recently regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Auburn Athletic Director John Cohen however revealed at this week’s SEC Media Days that he expects Pearl to be the coach at Auburn this season amidst all of the swirling rumors.

“I absolutely expect him to be the head coach at Auburn,” Cohen said in an interview with AL.com‘s Michael Casagrande. “But I, I also expect all the policies of NIL Go and, and you know, our new governing body to be upheld. But things can change. We’ve seen that.”

Pearl is also the chairman of the U.S. Israel Education Association and called for the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander during Auburn’s 2025 NCAA Tournament run.

Charles Barkley revealed he would back a Pearl senate run

“Maybe more than any coach I’ve ever been associated with, Coach Pearl, he’s a patriot and he loves his country and he loves his faith and he loves Israel,” Cohen continued. “And I think at some level he’s always searching in his mind for a way for how do I make a difference in this world. So I don’t think anything in his future will ever be taken off the table because he’s such a great leader.”

If Pearl was to run, an Auburn legend would have his back. Charles Barkley revealed that he would “100%” support Pearl if he chose to try for the seat.

Speaking with AL.com’s Roy S. Johnson, Barkley pointed out Pearl’s impact on Auburn, including two Final Four appearances under his watch. That, in Barkley’s eyes, earned the head coach the right to do what he sees best for him.

“I respect and trust him. I just told him to do what he wants to do,” Barkley said. “Obviously, he’s made Auburn basketball relevant, which makes me happy. I said, ‘Hey, man, as much as I love you being the head basketball coach at Auburn, you taking Auburn to two Final Fours, something I never thought would happen, but I do understand.’ If he wants to run, I’m gonna support him 100%.”

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.