Bruce Pearl Returns as CBS Sports Analyst After Leaving Auburn

It didn’t take long for Bruce Pearl to land his next role.

The longtime Auburn men’s basketball coach, who stepped down from his position last month and passed the reins to his son, has joined CBS Sports as a college basketball analyst. The network announced the move on Thursday, noting that Pearl will also contribute to TNT Sports’ joint coverage of the NCAA Tournament, providing both in-game commentary and studio analysis.

Pearl’s transition comes just weeks after ESPN host Michael Wilbon remarked that he “hoped there was pressure to just get [Pearl] out” of Auburn, describing him as a “divisive person.” The coach has been outspoken on political issues, particularly concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict.

In a recent interview with Will Cain, Pearl addressed Wilbon’s remarks with composure, saying he still has “love” for the ESPN personality. He added that a mutual friend of Wilbon’s had told him the comments were “probably political” rather than personal or antisemitic.

“I was a regular on Pardon the Interruption, and I love Tony [Kornheiser] and Mike,” Pearl said. “If there’s anything I’m not, it’s divisive. I’ve spent my whole life trying to bring people together. Maybe this is just another example of how hard it’s become to agree to disagree when it comes to politics.”

Pearl firmly denied that he was forced out of Auburn, emphasizing that the decision was voluntary and motivated by faith, family, and a desire to serve.

“I love Auburn,” he said. “Now I get the chance to focus on things that matter deeply to me — my faith, my family, my country — to be an advocate for Israel and for education, all while cheering on my son as he keeps winning basketball games.”

Known for his energy and charisma on the sidelines, Pearl’s presence on CBS promises to bring insight and enthusiasm to the college basketball coverage — even as he begins this new chapter off the court.