Auburn basketball head coach Bruce Pearl and Florida head coach Todd Golden have crossed paths multiple times over the years.
Their relationship started during the 2009 Maccabiah Games when Pearl coached Golden and the USA men's team. Golden later served as director of basketball operations and as an assistant coach for Pearl's staff at Auburn from 2014-16. The pair became SEC rivals when Golden accepted the head coaching position at Florida in 2022, and now they will square off on the same floor in the 2025 Final Four.
Ahead of Saturday's matchup, Golden was asked about his relationship with Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl and assistant Steven Pearl. Golden says that he is excited for the opportunity to face the Pearls on a giant stage and that he is thankful for their friendship.
"It's incredible. It's what life is all about. We were laughing. (Steven and I) FaceTimed on Sunday after they beat Michigan State. We were shaking our heads like, Man, we're legitimately going to the Final Four, competing against each other. A long way from when we first got down to Auburn, I was director of basketball operations, he was the assistant strength coach. You can remind him of that when you see him. Like I said before, Bruce and Steven (Pearl) are incredibly important to me, have been really impactful with the opportunities I've had. I'm just really grateful for my relationship with them. I think it speaks volumes about the way we build our programs, that we're both still alive right now."
While Golden says he is proud that Florida and Auburn are competing in the Final Four, he will not take it easy on Pearl and the Tigers on Saturday.
"I don't like it as much in the regular season. At this point in the year, when you're in the Final Four, it is what it is. You're going to go out there and do everything you can to take each other out. I think in a way we're both pleasantly surprised to be competing against each other at this point in the season."
Auburn and Florida have played six times since Golden took over the program, with each team earning three wins. Golden got the best of Pearl in their most recent meeting when the Gators stunned No. 1 Auburn at Neville Arena, 90-81, on Feb. 8. Saturday's game between Pearl and Golden will be the biggest since the 2024 SEC Tournament, when Pearl's Tigers defeated Golden's Gators in the SEC Tournament final.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Florida's Todd Golden talks relationship with Auburn's Bruce Pearl
