Bruce Pearl commented on remarks Auburn president Steven Leath made in a series of emails to fans that went public last week.
In the emails, Leath called Pearl's "unwillingness to even talk" with him about the university's ongoing internal review of the men's basketball program "troublesome." The emails were provided to AL.com late last week, and an Auburn spokesman confirmed the emails were from Leath.
"We're going through the process," Pearl said Monday. "Dr. Leath is in a tough spot. He's in a tough position. He's been fair. I trust the process. I trust him."
Pearl has repeatedly said he and the university are "going through the process" related to the internal review, which is being conducted by Birmingham-based law firm Lightfoot, Franklin and White, but he has not said whether he has done everything that has been asked of him.
The review stems from the September arrest of former associate head coach Chuck Person, who has been indicted on six federal charges, including bribery, fraud and corruption. Person is alleged to have received $91,500 in bribes over a 10-month span from Marty Blazer, a former crooked financial adviser who turned cooperating witness for the FBI in a widespread probe into the criminal influence of money on college basketball.
Person is said to have used his influence over Auburn players Austin Wiley and Danjel Purifoy to guide them toward choosing Blazer as a financial adviser upon their eventual decisions to turn pro.
As a result of the FBI investigation, Auburn has decided to indefinitely hold Wiley and Purifoy out of games, though they have still practiced with the team.
On Monday, ahead of Auburn's trip to Dayton on Wednesday, Pearl said there is "no change right now" in the status of either Wiley or Purifoy, though he does anticipate progress in the matter as the calendar turns to December.
"We are truly working through the process," Pearl said. "You know, they're both still eligible to practice, and I'll know tomorrow whether one or both could travel, and I'll know Wednesday whether one or both could play. I don't know. It truly is a daily thing as far as their eligibility."
Auburn (4-1) plays Dayton (3-2) on the road Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Pearl admitted Monday that gameplanning for scenarios with and without two of his best three players "presents its challenges," but that the coaching staff has been very open with players about what will happen if or when Purifoy and Wiley return -- or if they don't return this season.
In the meantime, Pearl said both Wiley and Purifoy are handling the ongoing investigation and accompanying uncertainty well, adding that neither has expressed doubts about their future. Shortly after practice, Purifoy sent out a tweet saying that he wants to be happy doing what he loves, but that the situation is "taking the love away from me."
"They are staying right and they are staying ready, and they are also -- I actually think they are way more informed about the process than even I am in the sense that they know what's taking place in that process to certify their eligibility," Pearl said. "So they know -- I think they feel like we're getting closer to it being completed, but it's not done yet. They just try to stay right and stay ready."
Tom Green is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Tomas_Verde.