Coach for Life Bruce Pearl Doesn't Forget

It's 110 degrees in Las Vegas and Bruce Pearl isn't poolside sipping a margarita-he's sweating through an Auburn polo shirt, yelling from the second row of NBA Summer League like it's the Final Four.

The game? Philadelphia 76ers vs. Dallas Mavericks. The stakes? Practically nothing-unless you're one of the guys on the floor clawing for a two-way contract and a shot at the dream. For most big-time college coaches, this kind of environment wouldn't even merit a retweet, let alone a personal appearance.

But Bruce Pearl? He shows up.

Johni Broome is out there suiting up for Philly. Miles Kelly is running for Dallas. And Bruce-well, Bruce is coaching with his eyes. Cheering like a dad. Living and dying with every possession.

"They're always my guys," Pearl said. "Once you play for Auburn and for me, I'm going to have your back for life. Seeing them out here chasing their dreams, that's what it's all about."

And that's not a soundbite. That's the creed. That's Bruce Pearl. In an era where loyalty is measured in NIL contracts and roster turnover is faster than fast food, Bruce still believes in forever. He doesn't just coach players-he invests in them. Loves them. Tracks them after they leave. He's part rabbi, part wrestling promoter, part father figure-and 100% heart.

Here's a guy who could be teeing off with donors or schmoozing in a Birmingham boardroom. Instead, he's in the bleachers of the Thomas & Mack Center in mid-July, hoarse from yelling, clapping like he's still on the sideline in Neville Arena.

You don't see that much anymore.

This isn't about the box score-though for the record, Philly beat Dallas 90-82. This is about presence. It's about character. It's about doing the hard, sweaty, thankless work that defines what kind of man you are when the TV cameras are off.

Bruce Pearl keeps showing up-because that's what real leaders do. And yeah, they probably ought to carve that quote into the front of Auburn Arena. Or just skip straight to the statue. Because the real win wasn't on the scoreboard. It was Bruce Pearl being exactly who he says he is. And I love that guy.

Perry O. Hooper Jr is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives, a member of the Alabama Republican Executive Committee, and former Chair of the 2016 Trump Victory Fund. Hooper's columns are published in the Alabama Gazette and other publications.

Opinions in the Alabama Gazette are the views of the writer alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Alabama Gazette staff or publishers.