Auburn’s Bruce Pearl Announces Retirement; Son Steven to Take Over
AUBURN, Ala. — Bruce Pearl, Auburn’s all-time winningest men’s basketball coach, is stepping away from the sidelines less than six months after leading the Tigers to another Final Four appearance.
Pearl, 65, revealed his decision in a 14-minute video posted to social media, saying the time had come to “pass the torch” after more than three decades as a head coach. His son, 38-year-old Steven Pearl, who has served on Auburn’s staff for all 11 seasons of his father’s tenure, will succeed him as head coach.
“I just feel when I can’t give 100 percent, it’s time,” Pearl said.
While speculation had swirled about a possible U.S. Senate run, Pearl dismissed that idea, confirming instead that he will remain with the university as an ambassador and special assistant to the athletic director. “Auburn has given me the opportunity to stay here and be Auburn’s senator,” he explained, adding that he wants to devote more time to his family.
Pearl leaves behind a remarkable legacy. He guided Auburn to its only two Final Four trips, including the 2019 run that featured wins over Kansas, North Carolina, and Kentucky before a one-point loss to Virginia in the national semifinal. This past season, the Tigers earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, won a program-best 32 games, and reached the Final Four again before falling to Florida.
In 2024, Pearl shared the Associated Press Men’s Coach of the Year honor with St. John’s coach Rick Pitino — the first tie in the award’s history.
His Auburn record stands at 246-125, though 14 wins were vacated following NCAA violations tied to former assistant Chuck Person. Pearl had also faced controversy at Tennessee, where he went 145-71 from 2005-11 before being dismissed after NCAA sanctions. Still, he made six NCAA appearances there, including the program’s first Elite Eight in 2010.
Before his SEC career, Pearl won the 1995 NCAA Division II national title at Southern Indiana, then took Milwaukee to the Sweet 16 in 2005. Auburn hired him in 2014 despite an active show-cause penalty, and he rebuilt the program into a national contender with six NCAA Tournament berths in the last seven years.
Steven Pearl, who played for his father at Tennessee and later worked in medical sales, joined Auburn’s staff in 2014 and was promoted to associate head coach in 2023. He has already led the Tigers in games, serving as acting head coach during his father’s suspension in 2021-22.
“There is nobody better prepared to continue our culture of faith, family, and Auburn values,” Bruce Pearl said of his son.
Athletic director John Cohen said a thorough search process reaffirmed that Steven was the clear choice to lead the program. “His defensive coaching, recruiting skills, and strong relationships with players made him the obvious fit,” Cohen said.
Pearl departs as one of the most influential figures in SEC basketball, with Commissioner Greg Sankey crediting his “dynamic leadership and relentless energy” for raising the sport’s profile across the league.
Pearl, 65, revealed his decision in a 14-minute video posted to social media, saying the time had come to “pass the torch” after more than three decades as a head coach. His son, 38-year-old Steven Pearl, who has served on Auburn’s staff for all 11 seasons of his father’s tenure, will succeed him as head coach.
“I just feel when I can’t give 100 percent, it’s time,” Pearl said.
While speculation had swirled about a possible U.S. Senate run, Pearl dismissed that idea, confirming instead that he will remain with the university as an ambassador and special assistant to the athletic director. “Auburn has given me the opportunity to stay here and be Auburn’s senator,” he explained, adding that he wants to devote more time to his family.
Pearl leaves behind a remarkable legacy. He guided Auburn to its only two Final Four trips, including the 2019 run that featured wins over Kansas, North Carolina, and Kentucky before a one-point loss to Virginia in the national semifinal. This past season, the Tigers earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, won a program-best 32 games, and reached the Final Four again before falling to Florida.
In 2024, Pearl shared the Associated Press Men’s Coach of the Year honor with St. John’s coach Rick Pitino — the first tie in the award’s history.
His Auburn record stands at 246-125, though 14 wins were vacated following NCAA violations tied to former assistant Chuck Person. Pearl had also faced controversy at Tennessee, where he went 145-71 from 2005-11 before being dismissed after NCAA sanctions. Still, he made six NCAA appearances there, including the program’s first Elite Eight in 2010.
Before his SEC career, Pearl won the 1995 NCAA Division II national title at Southern Indiana, then took Milwaukee to the Sweet 16 in 2005. Auburn hired him in 2014 despite an active show-cause penalty, and he rebuilt the program into a national contender with six NCAA Tournament berths in the last seven years.
Steven Pearl, who played for his father at Tennessee and later worked in medical sales, joined Auburn’s staff in 2014 and was promoted to associate head coach in 2023. He has already led the Tigers in games, serving as acting head coach during his father’s suspension in 2021-22.
“There is nobody better prepared to continue our culture of faith, family, and Auburn values,” Bruce Pearl said of his son.
Athletic director John Cohen said a thorough search process reaffirmed that Steven was the clear choice to lead the program. “His defensive coaching, recruiting skills, and strong relationships with players made him the obvious fit,” Cohen said.
Pearl departs as one of the most influential figures in SEC basketball, with Commissioner Greg Sankey crediting his “dynamic leadership and relentless energy” for raising the sport’s profile across the league.