In a historic moment for Auburn basketball, legendary head coach Bruce Pearl has announced his retirement after a remarkable 30-year coaching career spanning four programs: Southern Indiana, UW-Milwaukee, Tennessee, and Auburn. Pearl’s impact on the sport, particularly at Auburn, will be felt for generations.

During his eight-year tenure at Auburn, Pearl led the Tigers to five Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championships and six NCAA Tournament appearances, including two unforgettable Final Four runs in 2019 and 2025. On January 7, 2025, Pearl became Auburn’s all-time winningest head coach, surpassing Joel Eaves with his 214th victory.

Across all levels of competition, Pearl amassed 706 career wins, with 477 of those coming at the Division I level, cementing his legacy as one of college basketball’s most accomplished and respected coaches.

As Auburn looks to the future, Pearl’s legacy will continue under the leadership of his son, Steve Pearl, who has been named the new head coach of the Tigers. The promotion represents a seamless transition and a promise of continuity for Auburn’s program, which has become a powerhouse in the SEC under Bruce’s guidance.

Steve Pearl now inherits a program with a culture of winning, a history of NCAA Tournament success, and the expectation to keep Auburn at the forefront of college basketball. Fans and players alike will be watching closely to see how the new era unfolds, but with the Pearl family at the helm, Auburn basketball seems poised to continue its winning tradition.

Bruce Pearl’s retirement is the end of an era, but the story of Auburn basketball is far from over. With Steve Pearl leading the way, the Tigers are ready to write the next chapter in their history.