‘The Field of 68: After Dark’ co-host and college sports analyst Jeff Goodman recently weighed in on former Auburn Tigers coach Bruce Pearl‘s recent career decision. On Monday, Sept. 22, it was announced through a 14-minute video by the Tigers’ social media team that coach Pearl has decided to step down after spending the last 11 years at Auburn.
In a separate video uploaded by @CBBcontent on X/Twitter, Goodman, on a recent episode of ‘The Field of 68: After Dark’ podcast, said he believes the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk was a factor in Pearl’s decision. Pearl has become more outspoken in recent times regarding political and civil rights issues, with many individuals deeming him as polarizing.
“But, you wonder too how much the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk played into this you know,” Goodman said.
Jeff Goodman on Bruce Pearl’s retirement:
“You wonder how much the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk played into this” pic.twitter.com/PS5uWp10iH
— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) September 22, 2025
On Sept. 10, famous civil rights activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at Utah State University. Since then, Pearl has been vocal about the implications of this tragic incident. However, in the aforementioned video of Pearl speaking about his retirement, he clarified that pursuing a political career is off the cards for him.
“Many of you know that I thought and prayed about maybe running for United States Senate, maybe to be the next great senator from the state of Alabama. That would’ve required leaving Auburn. And instead, the university has given me an opportunity to stay here and be Auburn’s senator,” Pearl shared.
In his last game at the helm of the Tigers coaching staff, Pearl and his 2024-25 Auburn squad were defeated in the NCAA Final Four by the eventual 2025 national champions, Florida Gators, by six points, 79-73. This was the second time that Pearl had led the Tigers to the semifinals of the national tournament, with the first iteration coming six years ago in 2019.
Read More: “Nepotism To Its Core”: Fans React As Bruce Pearl’s Son Takes Over Auburn Coaching Job Amid Shock Retirement
Bruce Pearl Said Charlie Kirk Was On The Good Side, And His Death Will Not Stop His Mission
In a video posted by @Outkick on X/Twitter on Sept. 11, the day after Charlie Kirk was shot, Bruce Pearl was seen ranting about the death of Kirk. Coach Pearl opined that Kirk was killed because those who disagreed with his vision could not defeat him.
Furthermore, Pearl said Kirk was always on the good side.
“I think the reason they are getting more violent is because like Charlie Kirk proved every time he debated, had discussion, he was on the side of right. He was on the side of good. He was on side of accurate history. And they couldn’t beat him so they killed him. They murdered him. They assassinated him. They eliminated them. But what they didn’t realize is they actually didn’t because he is gonna live on through all of us,” Pearl claimed.
Auburn Men’s Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl on Charlie Kirk:
“He was leading the most important revival… that was young, conservative, Christian people… and they couldn’t beat him – so they killed him.”@dandakich @coachbrucepearl pic.twitter.com/Qy2dYhZgbj
— OutKick (@Outkick) September 12, 2025
Also Read: “Pathetic Coach Behavior”: Fans Rip Bruce Pearl As Auburn HC Trolls Rivals Alabama After FSU Upset
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