His future as Auburn's basketball coach has been in limbo for roughly three weeks and Bruce Pearl has few answers for where things stand with the program, though he is "confident" the school's internal investigation will reach an amicable conclusion.
Pearl referenced the "process" eight times on Wednesday, without detailing when a decision may be made one way or the other as to his future.
"We are still working through the process," Pearl said. "We're spending a lot of time with it, not enough time to take us away from coaching and doing the things we got to do. ... I hope it comes to some closure soon.
"I think that we're on a tough spot and we're working through it. There are still things that are going on with the student-athletes and certifying the roster. It's just all part of the process. I'm confident that we're going to get through this."
Yet for three weeks there is little clarity as to what "this" is.
Earlier this month, ESPN reported Pearl's job was in jeopardy for not cooperating with the school's internal investigation.
There have been multiple "deadlines" for Pearl and the staff to cooperate, but they've each come and gone without a resolution. Auburn president Steven Leath has not publicly commented regarding Pearl or the future of the basketball program.
Pearl would not say whether he's done everything asked of him.
"There's been some discussion about whether or not we're cooperating," Pearl said. "We've done a lot of things to try to get through this process and there's more that still needs to be done. It's all that is something that is running its course."
Two support staffers were put on administrative leave earlier this month, though there is ambiguity as to why that occuerred as well.
Austin Wiley and Danjel Purifoy remain out indefinitely due to their connection with the federal case against former assistant coach Chuck Person, who pleaded not guilty last week.
"If the time comes when they're certified as eligible, they'll be out there on the floor," Pearl said. "That really hasn't changed."
Pearl confirmed Purifoy was in New York earlier this week, but would not say whether that was to meet with federal authorities related to the case against Person.
Auburn (3-1) hosts Winthrop on Friday at 6 p.m.
James Crepea is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @JamesCrepea.