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Bruce Pearl makes hilarious comparison on retiring, giving Steven Pearl Auburn job

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs10/07/25grant_grubbs_
steve pearl bruce
Jake Crandall/ Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On Sept. 22, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl announced his retirement. Pearl’s son, Steven, is set to replace him and signed a five-year deal to be Auburn’s next headman. During an interview with OutKick‘s Dan Dakich, Bruce Pearl discussed handing the reins of the program over to his son.

“Nobody retires after they went to a Final Four,” Pearl said. “I didn’t want a buy out. I wanted to see this coaching staff be able to be rewarded for creating Auburn basketball, being one of the top 10, top 20 jobs in all college basketball. You know what it was like before. You know what it is now. I did, though, feel like Father Abraham putting his son, Isaac on the altar.

“I wonder if God’s going to provide another sacrifice. But, I mean, he’s set up with a good team. They got really good pieces. He’s a brilliant coach. He’s got a great staff, but he’s got one he’s got the toughest schedules, the toughest schedule in college basketball.”

While the situation may not have the Biblical stakes that Pearl referenced, the change feels earth-shattering for many Auburn fans. After all, Pearl led the Tigers to an SEC regular-season championship and a Final Four appearance last season.

It was only the second Final Four appearance in program history, both of which came under Pearl.  During his 11 seasons at the helm of the program, Bruce Pearl led Auburn to a 244-123 record, two SEC Tournament titles, three regular-season conference championships.

Steven Pearl joined Auburn as an assistant in 2017, but was promoted to associate head coach in 2023. Steven should have an excellent roster at his disposal in his debut campaign as Auburn’s head coach.

Auburn had the No. 9 class in On3’s 2025 Team Transfer Portal Rankings. Most notably, Auburn reeled in a commitment from Keyshawn Hall, the leading scorer in the Big 12 last season.

Auburn isn’t expected to lose any players to the portal as a result of Bruce Pearl’s retirement. While Bruce knows his Steven has a difficult season ahead, he’s confident his son is prepared for the challenge.

“I don’t know whether I set him up for success or failure,” Bruce Pearl said. “But you know what? He’s got thick skin. He’s tougher than I am, and I think he could also handle the pain of all this transfer stuff and all this movement, all this transaction.”