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Auburn will not appeal Bruce Pearl's show-cause penalty

Nicole Auerbach
USA TODAY Sports
Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl greets students prior to his introductory press conference in the Auburn Arena on March 18.

Auburn has decided not to appeal new men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl's show-cause penalty, which kept him off the sidelines for the last three seasons and will expire on Aug. 24.

"I felt strongly that not appealing the show-cause order was the right thing to do, and coach Pearl wholeheartedly agreed we should not contest it," Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said in a statement released to USA TODAY Sports and other outlets on Tuesday. "When I decided to hire coach Pearl, I was well aware of these restrictions and their ramifications. Coach Pearl and I both respect the process and we will fully honor the show-cause until it expires in August."

The show-cause penalty stems from an NCAA investigation during Pearl's tenure at Tennessee, an investigation that began with a recruit on an unofficial visit attending a cookout at Pearl's home. Pearl lied to NCAA investigators about the event and encouraged others who were present not to disclose that information, either.

"When I received my show-cause penalty from the NCAA in August 2011, I chose then not to appeal as it would lessen my position of accountability," Pearl said in a statement. "Auburn University, the SEC and the NCAA have given me an opportunity to return to coaching before my show-cause ends and I am grateful. I have confidence in our coaching staff's ability to present Auburn University and its men's basketball program until my show-cause ends Aug. 24, 2014."

Pearl cannot contact recruits until his show-cause penalty is up. He told SI.com earlier this month that he's relying on his assistant coaches and his past accomplishments to do his recruiting for him while he's sidelined.

"I've been a head coach for 19 years," Pearl told SI.com. "We've been to 17 NCAA tournaments, nine Sweet 16s, three Elite Eights, finished second one year and won a national championship in Division II. Our coaches can speak to that. These fans are passionate and hungry. We've got a great recruiting base as far as where we're located. And now I'm selling Auburn football. I'm selling no-huddle, playing fast. I'm selling, look at what Coach Malzahn and his staff have been able to do. Come be a part of that. Will it be difficult for a prospect to make up his mind to come here when he can't talk to me? Yeah. It's going to be challenging. But they can watch me coach, they can talk to people who have played for me."

Pearl said one thing he's been trying to be especially careful about is making sure he doesn't bump into recruits when they're on a visit, as well as avoiding calls/contact from AAU coaches. He said he's also spending a lot of time watching film of prospects.

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