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Steven Pearl introductory press conference
Posted on 9/24/25 at 9:07 am
Posted on 9/24/25 at 9:07 am
Will try and update this as the presser goes on. Apologies for spelling errors and leaving anything out.
-Cohen thanking Bruce, calling him a HOFer, saying Bruce gave him a heads up 3 years ago he was close to retirement and they had been "searching" for a head coach for the past 3 years. Cohen saying Steven has "EARNED" the position and needed someone who can keep the team and staff together while having elite experience.
-Steven Pearl remained loyal to Auburn, "we pay homage to those that stay loyal for a long time" - Cohen
-Steven starts by thanking everyone for the opportunity, "it's an honor" "I have been preparing myself for this moment for my entire life"
-teared up thanking his wife Brittany saying sharing his best moments with his family makes it even more special
-thanking BP and reflecting on his entire journey to Auburn as a son and as a coach.
-Wanting to encourage the Auburn family to remember the retention of the staff. Stating that's a big reason why they have been able to reach the accomplishments they've gotten.
-Ira Bowman announced as associate head coach (broke the news live to him in the presser)
-Mike Bergamaster - assistant coach "future star"
-Corey Williams - best in the country as a relationship builder
-Ian Borders - hardest worker on the staff "better recruiters in the country"
-Matt Gatens - elevated to assistant coach
-Marquise Daniels - a coaches player who provides the experience unlike no one else
-a few more coaches mentioned but don't think anyone else got a big promotion on the staff
-To the current players (who are in the room): thanking them for how they've handled it. Saying they have gotten positive responses from all of them. "We were all rattled on Monday and surprised"
-Abdul Bashir walked out into the hallway and gave Steven a hug and said "we are with you coach"
-Doesn't seem like anyone knew this was coming until Monday morning, the video was put together in a day, Bruce told everyone together.
-(inferring here, but seems like we should retain all players)
-S.P. doesn't want to change anything just to prove he's not Bruce Pearl,
-says the only difference is he might not be as active on twitter as BP
-Ends the presser before questions saying he will pour everything into the program as it has given him everything.
-Cohen thanking Bruce, calling him a HOFer, saying Bruce gave him a heads up 3 years ago he was close to retirement and they had been "searching" for a head coach for the past 3 years. Cohen saying Steven has "EARNED" the position and needed someone who can keep the team and staff together while having elite experience.
-Steven Pearl remained loyal to Auburn, "we pay homage to those that stay loyal for a long time" - Cohen
-Steven starts by thanking everyone for the opportunity, "it's an honor" "I have been preparing myself for this moment for my entire life"
-teared up thanking his wife Brittany saying sharing his best moments with his family makes it even more special
-thanking BP and reflecting on his entire journey to Auburn as a son and as a coach.
-Wanting to encourage the Auburn family to remember the retention of the staff. Stating that's a big reason why they have been able to reach the accomplishments they've gotten.
-Ira Bowman announced as associate head coach (broke the news live to him in the presser)
-Mike Bergamaster - assistant coach "future star"
-Corey Williams - best in the country as a relationship builder
-Ian Borders - hardest worker on the staff "better recruiters in the country"
-Matt Gatens - elevated to assistant coach
-Marquise Daniels - a coaches player who provides the experience unlike no one else
-a few more coaches mentioned but don't think anyone else got a big promotion on the staff
-To the current players (who are in the room): thanking them for how they've handled it. Saying they have gotten positive responses from all of them. "We were all rattled on Monday and surprised"
-Abdul Bashir walked out into the hallway and gave Steven a hug and said "we are with you coach"
-Doesn't seem like anyone knew this was coming until Monday morning, the video was put together in a day, Bruce told everyone together.
-(inferring here, but seems like we should retain all players)
-S.P. doesn't want to change anything just to prove he's not Bruce Pearl,
-says the only difference is he might not be as active on twitter as BP
-Ends the presser before questions saying he will pour everything into the program as it has given him everything.
This post was edited on 9/24/25 at 9:34 am
6
Posted on 9/24/25 at 9:26 am to loganromp
He finally got rolling.
Posted on 9/24/25 at 9:39 am to loganromp
Press Questions:
-Emphasis on limiting the turnovers, transition offense, rebounding the ball on the offensive end.
-Says the offense is currently ahead of the defense at this point in the offseason.
-Says we have a extremely difficult start of the nonconference season.
-In terms of NIL the focus is on player retention and loyalty
-This year was different, trying to replace 10 guys, have been working on it a year in advance. John Cohen launched Auburn into the top 5 in NIL in the conference in order to put this roster together.
-There was a leak that announced BP's retirement before they could tell the players. "The room was heavy" but the players respect his decision.
-Mentions that SP is the youngest head coach in the SEC now.
-"How will you rely on BP as as coach and as a dad going forward?" "I think he can help but there definitely needs to be a separation so that he can enjoy his retirement but when the time is necessary I will definitely reach out and lean on his passion as a coach."
-Says that BP would have made a decision about the next year this past Sunday so he decided then and John Cohen offered him the job that day.
-Emphasis on limiting the turnovers, transition offense, rebounding the ball on the offensive end.
-Says the offense is currently ahead of the defense at this point in the offseason.
-Says we have a extremely difficult start of the nonconference season.
-In terms of NIL the focus is on player retention and loyalty
-This year was different, trying to replace 10 guys, have been working on it a year in advance. John Cohen launched Auburn into the top 5 in NIL in the conference in order to put this roster together.
-There was a leak that announced BP's retirement before they could tell the players. "The room was heavy" but the players respect his decision.
-Mentions that SP is the youngest head coach in the SEC now.
-"How will you rely on BP as as coach and as a dad going forward?" "I think he can help but there definitely needs to be a separation so that he can enjoy his retirement but when the time is necessary I will definitely reach out and lean on his passion as a coach."
-Says that BP would have made a decision about the next year this past Sunday so he decided then and John Cohen offered him the job that day.
This post was edited on 9/24/25 at 9:59 am
Posted on 9/24/25 at 9:53 am to loganromp
His joke about not being as active on twitter and then commenting "already 1-0" when everyone laughed pretty hard to the joke was pretty good.
Posted on 9/24/25 at 10:02 am to loganromp
He said the right things. I am still skeptical but feel a little better about the situation.
Posted on 9/24/25 at 10:07 am to LRB1967
I have no idea how this is going to work out. BP wasn't the best with x's and o's or in game adjustments but he got guys to play hard for him and he had a great eye for talent. Hopefully the apple didn't fall far from the tree
Posted on 9/24/25 at 10:15 am to LRB1967
He definitely said the right things but it also seems like there isn't exactly anything he could have proven just yet. Time will tell but being able to keep the roster and staff together is a good start.
Posted on 9/24/25 at 10:35 am to marshallcotiger
quote:
I have no idea how this is going to work out. BP wasn't the best with x's and o's or in game adjustments but he got guys to play hard for him and he had a great eye for talent. Hopefully the apple didn't fall far from the tree
I think Stephen will do fine. He's hardcore, smart, and the players love him too. He's going to be okay I think.
Posted on 9/24/25 at 10:52 am to loganromp
Only wins and losses will tell the tale
Posted on 9/24/25 at 11:01 am to auburnnyc94
yep
Posted on 9/24/25 at 11:22 am to jangalang
I liked the presser. A little concerned that it seemed like our (likely) starters were not present, but I'm sure they had other things to do. Worth noting that it sounds like everyone has been practicing the last 2 days
This post was edited on 9/24/25 at 11:26 am
Posted on 9/24/25 at 11:35 am to loganromp
I have no real reason to like Stephen Pearl but I always have. I dont even think I've heard him speak before. I also don't believe he's done anything to "earn" this job but high achieving dads get to open doors for their sons (right Lebron?). Still I am optimistic about the hire. SP not being on twitter like his BP could be a major plus.
Posted on 9/24/25 at 11:39 am to TheJones
quote:
A little concerned that it seemed like our (likely) starters were not present, but I'm sure they had other things to do.
Loading Twitter/X Embed...
If tweet fails to load, click here.Posted on 9/24/25 at 11:41 am to aubiecat
Yeah, he posted that a million times too. Just suspicious that fate would have it that the likely starters all had classes they couldn’t miss
More importantly anyway, they’re at practice at least
More importantly anyway, they’re at practice at least
Posted on 9/24/25 at 11:46 am to TheJones
Jones big mad
Posted on 9/24/25 at 11:59 am to AUCE05
I’m good actually. The more I’ve read and listened to, the more my mind has changed
I’m happy we have the staff retention, and will be happier when the players confirm they’re staying
I’m happy we have the staff retention, and will be happier when the players confirm they’re staying
Posted on 9/24/25 at 12:02 pm to TheJones
I want to know whose bright idea it was to have the introductory press conference behind a pay wall. No one is spending money to watch that.
Any one make anything of which players showed and who didn't? Edit-- I see the other post about this now.
Any one make anything of which players showed and who didn't? Edit-- I see the other post about this now.
This post was edited on 9/24/25 at 12:12 pm
Posted on 9/24/25 at 12:06 pm to TheJones
quote:
will be happier when the players confirm they’re staying
Hear, hear.
Posted on 9/24/25 at 12:14 pm to BigBlueAU
quote:I think its fair to say part of the reason he got this job was because of who his dad is and that he's already on staff... but you also have to be fair and admit Steven is one of the top assistant coaches in the country. If we just hired the top assistant from Duke or Florida that would probably be seen as a good hire.
I also don't believe he's done anything to "earn" this job
Posted on 9/24/25 at 12:29 pm to jt33
Who is the last HC to go from assistant to HC in the SEC? I've gone back to 2009 and can't find one. He may work out but the only reason he was considered and got this job is because of who his dad is and to me that's not a good way to make hires. Love Bruce and all he did for Auburn and he's allowed to do what he wants in his life but he put Auburn in a bad situation to guarantee his son got a shot and no amount of sugar coating will change that. War Eagle and go Steven but that's how I see it
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