AUBURN AUTHORITY

Mike Slive: Auburn 'not doing anything' about Bruce Pearl's show-cause

James Crepea
Montgomery Advertiser
SEC commissioner Mike Slive is prepared to secede from Division I college athletics if the NCAA doesn't approve the autonomy the power five conferences are seeking.

BIRMINGHAM -- Auburn is "not doing anything" to appeal basketball coach Bruce Pearl's NCAA show-cause penalty, according to SEC Commissioner Mike Slive.

During an hour-long meeting with reporters at the Associated Press Sports Editors Southeast Region meeting Monday, Slive was asked several questions about Pearl's return to the conference. The commissioner said he spoke with Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs about the Pearl's show-cause, which expires Aug. 24, and the school has apparently decided not to exercise its option to attempt to show-cause for hiring Pearl and appeal his penalty within the 30-day window of his hiring.

"I've talked to Jay about it," Slive said. "My understanding is they're not doing anything about it."

Jacobs, who could not be reached for comment Monday, told the Advertiser Auburn had not yet made a decision as of April 10.

"We're still looking at it but we haven't made a final decision," Jacobs said on April 10. "We will not miss the deadline, we'll make a final call one way or the other."

Pearl, who was hired on March 18, sparked a renewed level of interest in the beleaguered Tigers hoops program.

Asked what he expects from Pearl on the court, Slive withheld judgement.

"Bruce is an energetic guy who brings a lot of enthusiasm," Slive said. "He and I have had our moments, as you're aware. There's a lot of excitement that he's back in the league, particularly by the folks at Auburn. We'll see how he performs."

As reported by the Advertiser on April 1, Pearl visited Slive in Birmingham to "thank him for allowing me to come back."

Slive laughed at the notion of being able to not allow a member institution from hiring Pearl.

"That implies that I have an awful lot of authority that I do not have," he said. "I really try to stay out of personnel issues."

Slive characterized the meeting as a "good conversation" though he didn't get into specifics.

"Bruce has faced up to the mistakes he made, publicly," Slive said. "We cleared the air. Assuming he does what he says he's going to do then we're ready to move ahead."