It has been almost a week since Bruce Pearl was hired as Auburn's basketball coach and held an energetic opening press conference.
Prior to tipoff of the women's basketball team's second round WNIT matchup against Old Dominion Monday night, Pearl returned to Auburn Arena about his first week on the job.
"The primary focus has been getting with the players," Pearl said. "We had some really productive meetings the first couple days."
Pearl said he met with the whole team initially, then began individual meetings with players at 5:45 his first morning on the job.
"Those are really good because I get a chance to get to know them a little bit and find out what they're thinking about, "Pearl said. "There are some really good kids in the program."
Questions that have been brought up frequently since Pearl took over at Auburn on who he will hire to assist him in his attempt to resurrect the program and how he'll handle recruiting until his show-cause penalty runs out in August.
"I'm spending a lot of time filtering through our coaching opportunities," Pearl said. "The response has been great. If recruits respond to this opportunity as well as coaches, we're going to be okay."
Pearl said that he plans to begin putting a full staff together near the end of the NCAA Tournament.
"The Final Four is where I can hobnob with my fellow wizards," Pearl said. "There will be a lot of coaches that will be there, and sometimes, instead of bringing them to campus, it's easier and productive to visit with them at the Final Four. "
As far as recruiting, because of the restrictions from the NCAA, Pearl knows how important it is for him to get the word out about his program anyway he can.
"I can't call high school coaches," Pearl said. "If I'm a high school coach in the state of Alabama, and I've got a good sophomore and it's been five or six days, and I'm wondering 'When is coach Pearl gonna call me?' Coach Pearl can't call him."
Pearl said that he has been sure to accept any media invitation, so he can spread the word via TV or radio.
"My being available to media is a way for me to get that word out," Pearl said. "If [national radio host] Jim Rome wants to talk to Auburn's basketball coach, Auburn's basketball coach is going to be available for Jim Rome, because everybody in the country is listening to him."
Pearl also told the media that he is going to try and schedule tougher non-conference opponents for Auburn in the future.
"My philosophy is going to be to play the best schedule we possibly can," Pearl said. "We're probably going to have to travel some, especially in the beginning. People aren't gonna come here right away. If I've got to go on the road to develop the program that's what we'll do"
Pearl added that tough games at the beginning of the season will better prepare the team for conference play.
"We're going to put the kids in challenging situations early," Pearl said. "So that when we get into league play, we're not as overwhelmed."
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