Steven Pearl on Alabama bringing in Charles Bediako: 'It's a lose-lose situation'

Auburn head coach Steven Pearl, who’s been critical of the Charles Bediako situation at Alabama, said it was a lose-lose for Nate Oats and crew. Pearl admitted that their job as coaches is to work within the rules, or lack thereof as he put it, and find ways to make their team better.

Pearl even said they’ve explored that market for players like Bediako, but haven’t pulled the trigger and have no plans to, as of now. Still, he said it’s not a great look no matter which way you spin it.

“A lot of people have been very outspoken about this and are very passionate about it,” Pearl said on SEC This Morning. “You know, our job as coaches is to play within the rules or lack thereof that have been set by the NCAA, and what they can and can enforce. And you know, what we do is about trying to find a gray area sometimes, and they found a gray area where they could find a way to get a guy, that was there a couple years ago, reinstated. And if they feel like that is in the best interest of their program in order to win games, then that’s what they got to do …

“It’s tricky, because if they win, everybody’s like, All right, well, you won because you brought back a player that, by NCAA standards, isn’t eligible. And if you lose, I feel like the criticism is going to be that much worse … It’s a lose-lose situation.” 

Earlier Monday, judge James Roberts extended the temporary restraining order he first granted Jan. 20 for an additional 10 days after a NCAA attorney was unable to make Tuesday’s scheduled injunction hearing to address Bediako’s suit against the NCAA and the organization’s ability to enforce its eligibility rules. The NCAA previously ruled the 23-year-old Bediako ineligible due to his entrance in the 2023 NBA Draft, specifically citing the two-way NBA contract he signed with the San Antonio Spurs after going undrafted.

“But, you know, at the same time, like, they may be like, I don’t care, like, we got to win,” Pearls said of Alabama using Bediako. “You know, we may have a depth problem on the front line, and we feel like bringing Charles back could help that. Then, I mean, I understand where he’s coming from. 

“Doesn’t make it wrong, it doesn’t make it right. It’s his program to run, and he’s got to do what he thinks is best. You know, we’ve looked into that market, but right now, based on the rules, we’re kind of locked into what our roster is right now, as far as the numbers that we have. I’m not saying we won’t look into it in the future, if it makes sense, but as of right now, you know, or we’re sticking with the guys we got.”