Bruce Pearl talks friendship with Gus Malzahn

Malzhan fired Sunday after eight seasons.

As auburn's head football coach.

He thanked the university and fans for the opportunity to lead the auburn program.

He thanked all the players he was able to coach saying quote "it was a true blessing and i'm incredibly appreciative of how you represented the program and most importantly, yourselves.

Now -- the search for the new head coach is on, ahead of national signing day just two days away... waay 31's sports director lynden blake spoke with bruce pearl earlier about his relationship with malzahn... lynden a lot of emotions surrounding gus malzahn's firing at auburn.

The players have spoken out on social media this weekend, now other auburn coach's are sharing their appreication for the coach who mind you had no losing seasons in 8 years at auburn.

One of three coach's in program history to do that.

Monday afternoon bruce pearl talked about his dear friend, and what he'll miss about having malzhan on the plains.

Pearl and malzahn lead the two top athletic programs at auburn for the last six years.

Since pearl came to auburn in 2014, malzahn supported the basketball team at sec tournaments, the final four apperance, and the two even went to omaha together to watch auburn baseball in 2019.

Pearl says sunday was a tough day on campus, adding he hates to see malzhan leave, but pearl is proud of what the football coach accomplished.

No body had a higher expectation for auburn footblal than gus malzahn.

Even our passionate fans, gus expected to win national championships, compete for national championship and he held himself to that standard.

Someone new must come in with high standars to please an auburn fan base who's been unsettled for years.

We'll break down who the top guys are and why a decision needs to come soon at five.