Bruce Pearl, Auburn
Entering the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Pearl is 214-118 at Auburn. After a few rough years getting the program going, the head coach has turned the Tigers into an absolute powerhouse. Auburn has dominated the SEC behind Pearl’s ability to recruit at a high level and make great adjustments during games. Of course, there are some questionable tactics but that’s a relic of the past with NIL being more prevalent and the transfer portal being more open. Pearl shouldn’t have any trouble re-tooling Kentucky, especially with a boost in resources. He’s had success everywhere he’s gone and the off-court stuff won’t matter as long as he’s winning games. He’s the top choice, with the only question being if he’ll leave Auburn after what he’s built there.
