The Auburn and Florida coaches worked together at Auburn from 2014-2016 and remain close friends despite their conference rivalry.
coach Steven Pearl and Florida coach Todd Golden share a deep friendship that even a conference rivalry can’t break. The two go back, working together at Auburn since former head coach Bruce Pearl started in 2014.
Golden was an assistant on Bruce Pearl’s first staff and stayed through 2016. Steven Pearl worked his way up through Auburn’s staff to become the head coach in 2025. Golden was hired as Florida’s head coach ahead of the 2022-2023 season, winning both the SEC and national championship in his third season with the Gators. Florida knocked off Auburn in last year’s Final Four before winning the program’s third national championship. Saturday will be the pair’s first matchup since that game and Pearl’s first game against Golden as the Tigers head coach. Mar 5, 2022; Auburn, AL, USA; Steven Pearl cuts the net after the game between Auburn and South Carolina at Neville Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Taylor/AU Athletics“It’s unique, it’s special,” Pearl said about Golden Thursday afternoon. “He was ops and I was the assistant strength coach at Auburn 11 years ago. Which is kind of crazy how time has flown, and our career paths have come to where they are now.” Pearl told reporters that he and Golden talked on the phone this week. Both coaches are planning to see each other briefly after Auburn arrives in Gainesville on Friday. “He’s been such a valuable resource to me,” Pearl said. “Any chance I need to run something by somebody, he’s been one of my first calls, and he’s always been so gracious with his time.”As for Florida, the Gators are currently ranked No. 16 in the country and is 5-1 in SEC games this season. After its upset loss to Missouri, Florida has defeated ranked conference opponents in Tennessee, Georgia and Vanderbilt to improve to 14-5 overall. “I just have so much respect for TG and everything he’s doing down there,” Pearl said. “They’re a top-5 team in my opinion. They’ve lost five games by a combined 17 points, all away from home. They’re one of the elites in college basketball. He’s one of the best coaches in college basketball.”Jerry Humphrey III is an Auburn Sports Beat Writer for AL.com since Oct. 2024, covering football, basketball and all things Auburn sports. Prior to joining the sports staff at AL.com, Jerry spent time at...
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