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Auburn Assistant Accused of Courtside Recruiting at Rival Tournament
Auburn coach defends assistant's actions as permissible, but rival coach calls for clearer NCAA rules
Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:14am
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Auburn assistant coach Ian Borders attended the A-SUN Tournament last week, which prompted accusations from Queens head coach Grant Leonard that Borders was attempting to recruit players on the floor during the game. Auburn head coach Steven Pearl defended Borders, stating his actions were permissible, but Leonard and other mid-major coaches argue the NCAA needs to establish clearer guidelines to prevent this type of behavior.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between major college programs and mid-major schools when it comes to recruiting players, especially in the era of the NCAA transfer portal. Mid-major coaches are concerned about losing their top talent to bigger schools, and want the NCAA to establish clearer rules to prevent what they see as unfair recruiting tactics.
The details
According to the report, Borders attended the A-SUN Tournament last week, which prompted Queens head coach Grant Leonard to accuse an unnamed 'SEC assistant' of trying to 'get ahead' on recruiting players in the transfer portal. While Auburn and Pearl maintain Borders' actions were permissible under NCAA rules, Leonard argues it's one thing to scout from the stands, but another to be on the floor trying to interact with his players. Other mid-major coaches, like USF's Bryan Hodgson, have echoed Leonard's sentiment, calling for the NCAA to provide clearer guidelines to prevent this type of behavior.
- Borders attended the A-SUN Tournament last week.
The players
Steven Pearl
The head coach of the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team.
Ian Borders
An assistant coach for the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team.
Grant Leonard
The head coach of the Queens University of Charlotte men's basketball team.
Bryan Hodgson
The head coach of the University of South Florida men's basketball team, and a former assistant coach at the University of Alabama under Nate Oats.
What they’re saying
“It is a permissible activity.”
— Steven Pearl, Head Coach, Auburn Tigers (The Athletic)
“Is this the route we're really trying to go down? Maybe the NCAA was wrong. I don't know if there's clear parameters on this. But we probably need them. Because otherwise it's going to go further and further every year. We don't want to end up being like junior college.”
— Grant Leonard, Head Coach, Queens University of Charlotte (on3.com)
What’s next
The NCAA may need to establish clearer guidelines around recruiting at other teams' tournaments to address the concerns raised by mid-major coaches like Grant Leonard.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between major college programs and mid-major schools when it comes to recruiting players, especially in the era of the NCAA transfer portal. Mid-major coaches want the NCAA to establish clearer rules to prevent what they see as unfair recruiting tactics by larger programs.
