Auburn’s Steven Pearl was full of emotion following his team’s much-needed win over Kentucky on Saturday night, but before addressing anything regarding the result, the first-year head coach wanted to take some time to address a more important matter in his postgame presser.
As a former member of the Tennessee Volunteers’ basketball program, Pearl is very familiar with longtime Tennessee athletics journalist Wes Rucker, who tragically passed away in a car accident on Thursday at age 43. Rucker was a husband and father of one son, with the couple expecting another child this spring.
Pearl opened his press conference by offering his condolences and reflecting on the impact Rucker had on him while he was a player in Knoxville from 2007-2011.
“He was a basketball guy before it became fashionable,” Pearl said, referencing the state of SEC hoops at the time. “A true professional guy that knew his stuff and was very fair and honest in his assessments. For journalism and beat writing at Tennessee, that’s the name you remember.”
The head coach added that when he started up a “really bad” radio show fresh of out of college, Rucker would come on the Sunday morning shows to provide some insight. Pearl emphasized that he thanks Rucker for doing something “he didn’t have to do.”
Steven Pearl opened his press conference sending condolences to the family of Wes Rucker, who covered Pearl during his playing years at Tennessee.“He was a basketball guy before it became fashionable.” pic.twitter.com/C1ST9ijITb
— The Barn (@TheBarn_Auburn) February 22, 2026Those interested in supporting Rucker’s family can visit this GoFundMe link to help support Wes’ wife, Molly, and son, Hank.
Steven Pearl offers condolences to family of late Tennessee writer Wes Rucker Saturday Down South.
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