Bruce Pearl

Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl reacts to a call in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Vanderbilt on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. Tennessee upset Vanderbilt 60-51. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

-- Former Tennessee coach

Bruce Pearl

met with Auburn athletics director

Jay Jacobs

on Monday night,

.

Pearl is strongly considering taking the job.

Pearl, the former Tennessee coach whose show-cause expires on Aug. 23,

ever since the start.

As a possibility, Pearl was approved by Auburn assistant athletic director

Dave Didion

, who was the lead NCAA investigator on Pearl's investigation in Knoxville, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

Pearl, the hottest name

floating in coaching circles and around the Auburn fan base,

and dodged a question on WJOX Friday about whether he's been contacted by the school.

Pearl did not immediately return messages left by AL.com and hasn't since the beginning of the search.