AUBURN, Ala. — Bruce Pearl embraces his past, admits to mistakes and sometimes does both.

On Sunday, the past will meet the present as the Auburn men’s basketball coach hosts a barbecue cookout for Auburn students at the women’s soccer match Sunday against South Carolina.

If you remember, it’s a barbecue cookout at Bruce Pearl’s home in Knoxville (along with illegal contact with recruits and the subsequent lies about the event) that led to his firing at Tennessee in 2011 and a three-year show case from coaching in college basketball.

Pearl, as he always does, will embrace his mistakes in an effort to help bring attention to the women’s soccer program with a cookout on the grounds. Auburn basketball players will also be on hand serving ribs and chicken wings to students.

“I love to grill, and it’s a great chance to feed our students, and show them a little bit of love, and support our soccer team,” Pearl said in a news release. “It’s a win-win situation.”

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Pearl’s efforts go beyond soccer. He’s trying to renew support in the student section for the upcoming basketball season.

“It’s a great way for my team and my coaching staff to interact with our students, and people who want to support our soccer program,” Pearl said. “One of the keys to our success has been the revitalization of the Jungle and the fact that we have a great home-court advantage at Auburn Arena. So we’re just trying to support our other sports teams.”

Jacqui Pearl, Bruce Pearl’s daughter, will conduct a similar cookout before a volleyball match in September.

Pearl’s secret on the grill?

“People think when you’re barbecuing, it’s about the sauce,” Pearl said. “It has nothing to do with the sauce. It has everything to do with the seasoning and the temperature. If you season them right, and you cook them at the right temperature, you only need a little bit of sauce.”

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