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4w ago

Auburn and Florida's Jewish Coaches Make NCAA Final Four History

Bruce Pearl and Todd Golden, longtime friends and colleagues, lead their teams into a historic semifinal matchup highlighting Jewish representation and advocacy in sports.

Florida coach Todd Golden, left, and Auburn coach Bruce Pearl talk before their game at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025.
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Overview

  • Auburn's Bruce Pearl and Florida's Todd Golden, both Jewish head coaches, will face off in the NCAA Final Four on Saturday in San Antonio.
  • This marks the first time three Jewish head coaches, including Duke's Jon Scheyer, have led teams in the Final Four, a milestone for representation in college basketball.
  • Pearl and Golden share a deep personal and professional bond, originating from their time together at the Maccabi Games and later as colleagues at Auburn.
  • Bruce Pearl has used his platform to advocate for Jewish causes, including raising awareness about American hostages in Gaza and promoting interfaith understanding.
  • Florida has reached its first Final Four since 2014 under Golden's leadership, while Auburn has solidified itself as a top program with its second appearance in six years.