Bruce Pearl Retires as Auburn Coach Son Steven Takes Over

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Bruce Pearl has decided to step away from coaching after spending more than three decades building his name in college basketball. At 65 years old, Pearl shared that it was no longer possible for him to give every part of himself to the game the way he used to, and for that reason, he knew it was time to move on. He made the announcement in a long video message, speaking openly about the difficult choice. Auburn, the university where he made history, will not be losing him completely, though. Pearl will stay close to the school in a new role as an ambassador and advisor to the athletic director, ensuring that his presence and experience remain a guiding light for the program.

The Auburn basketball team is now moving into a new chapter, and the man leading them will be someone very familiar to the players and fans. Pearl’s son, Steven, who has been part of the staff for over a decade, has been chosen to take over as head coach. Steven, now 38 years old, has learned every detail of coaching under his father, having been beside him during Auburn’s rise to national attention. For many years, Steven turned down other coaching jobs in loyalty to Auburn and his father. Now that loyalty has been rewarded with the opportunity to continue the program’s success.

Bruce Pearl’s story at Auburn is one of transformation. When he arrived in 2014, the team had not reached the NCAA Tournament in more than a decade. Auburn basketball was seen as struggling, but Pearl quickly changed that. Over his 11 seasons, he turned Auburn into one of the strongest basketball programs in the country. The Tigers went to the NCAA Tournament six times, including two Final Four appearances, which remain the only ones in the school’s history.

The first historic run came in 2019 when Auburn defeated powerhouse teams Kansas, North Carolina, and Kentucky in a dramatic march to the semifinals. The team’s journey ended in heartbreak with a one-point loss to Virginia, who went on to win the championship. The second unforgettable season happened just last year. With star player Johni Broome leading the team, Auburn earned the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers set a new school record with 32 wins, but they fell short in the semifinals against Florida, a conference rival. These achievements made Bruce Pearl the most successful men’s basketball coach Auburn has ever had.

People from across the basketball world have spoken about Pearl’s impact. Many highlight not only his success in games but also his energy, passion, and connection with fans and communities. His style of leadership made Auburn basketball exciting and drew attention to the Southeastern Conference as a whole. He even won national recognition last season, sharing the College Basketball Coach of the Year award with Rick Pitino, marking the first time in the award’s long history that two coaches shared the honor.

Pearl’s long career has not been free of challenges. He had faced NCAA penalties in the past, including a firing from Tennessee in 2011 and a suspension at Auburn because of compliance issues with an assistant coach. Despite these setbacks, Pearl showed resilience and managed to rebuild his reputation. His overall record at Auburn was strong, though some wins were vacated due to past infractions. Even with those adjustments, his name is cemented in Auburn’s history books.

Long before he became Auburn’s leader, Pearl had proven himself at other schools. He started his head coaching career at Southern Indiana in the 1990s, where he won a Division II national championship. Later, he brought success to Milwaukee, guiding them to the Sweet 16, which eventually earned him the Tennessee job. At Tennessee, he achieved six consecutive tournament appearances and took the program to new heights before his exit. Those experiences all shaped the coach who eventually brought Auburn to the national stage.

Steven Pearl’s story adds another interesting chapter to this legacy. He played college basketball under his father at Tennessee, and after a brief career outside of sports, he returned to join Auburn’s staff when his father was hired. Over the years, Steven earned respect from players and colleagues for his work ethic and ability to motivate the team. When Bruce was suspended for two games in 2021, Steven took charge as acting head coach and led Auburn to two comfortable wins, showing he could handle the responsibility. Auburn’s athletic director explained that after carefully considering different options, Steven stood out as the best choice to lead the program into the future. His skills in recruiting, teaching, and especially building strong defensive teams were highlighted as key reasons for the decision.

For Bruce Pearl, retirement does not mean a complete goodbye. He has made it clear that he intends to spend more time focusing on his family while continuing to serve Auburn in a different capacity. He addressed rumors about entering politics, admitting that he had thought about it, but said he is choosing to stay with Auburn instead. In his own words, Auburn has allowed him to become their “senator,” serving the school and its community rather than entering public office.

The transition from father to son creates a unique moment for Auburn basketball. Steven now carries the responsibility of maintaining the culture of faith, family, and competitiveness that his father built. Fans will expect him to continue chasing championships and adding new achievements to Auburn’s history. At the same time, Bruce’s presence as an advisor ensures that his experience will still influence the team. Auburn’s basketball program, once forgotten on the national stage, is now respected across the country, and much of that credit belongs to Bruce Pearl.

Now the future lies with Steven Pearl, who will try to build upon his father’s foundation. For Auburn, this marks both an end and a beginning. The end of a legendary coaching era with Bruce Pearl on the sidelines, and the beginning of a new journey under Steven, who has spent years preparing for this moment. The next chapters will decide how this family legacy grows, but one thing is certain — Bruce Pearl has forever changed Auburn basketball, and his son now has the chance to carry that story forward.

Bruce Pearl, Auburn basketball, Auburn Tigers, Steven Pearl, Final Four