Bruce Pearl Announces Retirement; Son Steven to Take Over at Auburn

Auburn men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl announced his retirement on Monday, just six weeks before the start of the new season on November 3. The decision came after the most successful year of his tenure with the Tigers and was shared in an emotional 15-minute video released by the program.

“For me, the time has come,” Pearl said. “I’ve dedicated nearly 50 years to college basketball. I always told myself that when I could no longer give my all or maintain the same energy and competitiveness, it would be time to step aside. Now, I’ve reached that point.”

Steven Pearl Takes the Helm
Shortly after Bruce’s announcement, Auburn confirmed that Steven Pearl, his son, will take over as head coach. At 38, Steven has been an assistant under his father at Auburn and previously played for him at Tennessee, but this will be his first head coaching role. He signed a five-year contract, though financial details were not disclosed.

In his message, Bruce did not directly address the succession but hinted at his confidence in the transition:
“The DNA of this program will not change. I have complete confidence in the future of Auburn basketball.”

Dismissing Political Speculation
Pearl also dismissed speculation about a potential run for the U.S. Senate representing Alabama. He said his focus will remain on the Auburn community:
“I thought and prayed about the possibility of running for the Senate, but that would have meant leaving Auburn. I don’t want that. I plan to stay here and continue serving the Auburn family.”

Bruce Pearl’s Legacy
At 65, Pearl concludes a remarkable career. He coached Auburn for 11 seasons, guiding the Tigers to six of the last seven NCAA tournaments and achieving two historic Final Four appearances, including in 2025 with All-American Johni Broome at center.

Before Auburn, Pearl spent six seasons at Tennessee and four at Milwaukee, leading both programs to multiple NCAA tournament appearances. He retires with an impressive 477-224 record (.680) as a Division I head coach.

A four-time SEC Coach of the Year and three-time Horizon League Coach of the Year, Pearl was named Associated Press National Coach of the Year in 2025 after leading Auburn to a 32-6 record and a season that ended in the Final Four against eventual national champion Florida.