Report: Bruce Pearl floated as potential candidate for Tommy Tuberville's Senate seat

Tuesday afternoon, Tommy Tuberville officially 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 – and it’s another one with Auburn ties.

Tigers men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl’s name came up, according to a report from Semafor’s Burgess Everett. Tuberville addressed that rumor with Semafor and said he didn’t think Pearl would end up running, although one Republican told the publication he’s planning to do so.

Tuberville also said he would encourage Pearl to stay on The Plains after leading the men’s basketball program back to the Final Four. He also noted the difference in pay.

“The compensation is a little bit different,” Tuberville told Semafor. “I wouldn’t let him do it because he did such a good job at Auburn. We need him there.”

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.

Pearl is also the chairman of the U.S. Israel Education Association and appeared on Capitol Hill a week ago. During March Madness, he also spoke out – with his players’ permission – and called for the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander. He also discussed his advocacy during an appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show.

“There’s been a rise in antisemitism all across the world. I don’t understand it, but it definitely exists, and there’s been a bit of a rise in this country,” Bruce Pearl said. “However, the vast majority of Americans, particularly our Christian friends, support Israel and understand the foundation of their faith comes from the Jewish people. It started right there in Israel, right there in Bethlehem for Jesus. And we are connected, and most people in this country understand what’s going on over there.

“Oct. 7 was a holocaust of the Jews, and the curtain got pulled back, Paul. The world got a chance to look in and say, ‘Look, these people do not want to live next door to us, they want to they want to kick us out. And fortunately the United States has been a great ally and a great friend. And I just pray that we could get the hostages back, and then the war and the violence will stop and then peace and prosperity hopefully can take over.”