Bruce Pearl disagrees with Michael Wilbon’s assertion the former Auburn coach is “divisive.”
“He had become a divisive person, it seems to me intentionally,” Wilbon told Tony Kornheiser on Sept. 23. “And I hope there was pressure to just get him out.”
Pearl joined “The Will Cain Show” on Fox News and was asked about the “Pardon The Interruption” host.
“Well, I was a regular on ‘Pardon the Interruption,’ and I love Tony and Mike and have had great relationships with them,” Pearl said. “A dear friend of Mike’s reached out to me and said, ‘Look, this is not antisemitic. It’s probably political.’
“And, you know, Will, if there’s anything I’m not and that is divisive. I have tried to bring people together my entire life. And maybe it’s an example of why we can’t agree to disagree about things politically.”
Pearl also made it clear there was no pressure to make a change at Auburn.
“And so, no, I was not forced out,” Pearl said. “I love Auburn. And I love the opportunity now to be able to do some things for faith and family and our country, to be an advocate for Israel, be an advocate for education. And looking forward to do those things while my son is winning basketball games.”
During PTI last month, Kornheiser said, “Happy trails to coaching for Bruce Pearl. The Auburn coach is stepping down to become an ambassador for the athletic department. Pearl said he will not run for the U.S. Senate, something that had been rumored.”
Wilbon responded by saying, “Tony, he’d become a divisive person, it seems to me, intentionally. And I hope there was pressure to just get him out.”
“Really?” Kornheiser asked.
“Yes,” Wilbon answered.
“I always liked him,” Kornheiser said.
“I used to,” Wilbon reacted.
“He was such a great guest,” Kornheiser asked. “Yes, we’re on the other side on him.”
“Not anymore,” Wilbon said.
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