The Auburn Tigers are reportedly preparing to bring in a dedicated general manager for their basketball program. According to On3’s Justin Hokanson, “Sources tell On3 that HC Steven Pearl is looking to hire a dedicated General Manager before the April 7 transfer portal window opens. With NIL and revenue-sharing reshaping the sport, Auburn aims to add a true front-office presence.”
Originally, Matt Gatens was expected to fill that position. However, Bruce Pearl’s abrupt retirement shifted Gatens into an on-court assistant coaching role instead. Whether Gatens will still be considered for the general manager job remains uncertain. That said, many believe Auburn could pursue a high-profile name to energize a fan base discouraged by the program’s most difficult season in five years.
So who might emerge as the leading candidates?
Bruce Pearl
The most straightforward choice would be Bruce Pearl himself. Such a move would reunite him with Steven Pearl and essentially reverse their former responsibilities. During the latter years of Bruce’s tenure, Steven played a significant role in talent evaluation, though Bruce was the architect behind Auburn’s 2018–19 Final Four squad. His ability to identify and develop winning players is well established.
The question is whether Bruce would be ready to dive back into today’s rapidly evolving NIL and revenue-sharing landscape, especially given his active political engagements. Can he fully refocus on basketball operations after spending significant time advocating for Israel and criticizing Tucker Carlson? In his final seasons on the Plains, there were moments when it seemed Steven had begun carrying more of the operational load.
Still, perhaps stepping into a GM role would allow Bruce to contribute in a new way. Already serving as an ambassador for Auburn University, he could continue influencing the program he clearly cares about while remaining connected to the Tigers community.
Kyle Church
If influential booster Jimmy Rane truly wants to make a splash in Auburn athletics, a bold move could involve targeting Michigan Wolverines general manager Kyle Church.
Church has partnered with Dusty May dating back to their time at Florida Atlantic. FAU’s memorable Final Four run was fueled in part by players Church helped recruit and develop. Now at Michigan, the program is thriving and widely considered a leading contender to capture the 2025–26 NCAA Tournament title this April.
Convincing Church to leave such a strong situation would require a significant financial commitment. However, the opportunity to restore a proud brand in East Central Alabama could be appealing to a seasoned basketball mind with 15 years of coaching experience.
Rachel Baker
Another intriguing possibility is Duke Blue Devils general manager Rachel Baker. In the modern NIL and revenue-sharing era, she has quickly become one of the most respected figures in college basketball administration.
Baker played a key role in maintaining Duke’s recruiting momentum following Coach K’s retirement in 2022. She helped bring Cooper Flagg to Durham and oversaw the Blue Devils’ 2024–25 Final Four appearance, which also featured Kon Knueppel, who transitioned seamlessly to the NBA and immediately showcased elite efficiency by averaging 50/40/90 while becoming the fastest player ever to reach 300 three-pointers.
With both NBA and WNBA experience, Baker understands the professional pathway and can clearly communicate that vision to recruits. While Auburn’s current roster may not feature many long-term pros, the program recently produced talents such as Dylan Cardwell, Walker Kessler, and Jabari Smith. With elite prospects likely to return to Lee County in the near future, Baker’s expertise could prove invaluable in attracting top-tier talent.