Video: Head coaching opportunities are rare. When you get one, celebrate it

Bruce Pearl is known for his time as the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, where he led the Vols to six straight NCAA tournament appearances before a recruit/barbecue debacle led to his dismissal and a three year show-cause penalty from the NCAA.

In his entire head coaching career, spanning from the 1992-1993 season with Southern Indiana, to the 2010-2011 season with Tennessee, Pearl led his team to postseason appearances all but one time. The man can flat out coach with the best of them.

Earlier today, Pearl was hired by Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs to lead the Tiger basketball program, and upon arriving at the airport, and exiting the plane, Pearl, known for his emotional sideline demeanor, let his raw emotions get the best of him.

We only find a handful of basketball stories relevant to what we do here at The Scoop on a yearly basis, but we felt like Pearl's interaction with the fans was a great reminder of how rare head coaching opportunities are. Landing one is tough, and then landing one after you've been out for a few years is even tougher. Pearl seems to realize that reality clearer than ever at this juncture in his career, and he's celebrating the opportunity.

Good for him, and great hire for the Auburn family.