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This is an opinion column.

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Steven Pearl might already be the smoothest head basketball coach in the SEC.

Here was the scene just before Pearl was introduced as Auburn’s coach. Maybe SEC rivals Todd Golden and Nate Oats should take some notes.

Pearl’s news conference was held at the football practice facility on Wednesday because the crowd was so large. All the dignitaries were there, and boosters, and cameras. It was standing room only. Auburn is a basketball school with a football problem.

Like the passing of a crown, everyone was gathered for Bruce Pearl’s retirement and Steven Pearl’s coronation. It felt more like a party than a press event. There were eve

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