Bruce Pearl opts to become Auburn Senator after retirement amid U.S. Senate rumors

After Auburn men’s basketball head coach Bruce Pearl announced his retirement on Monday, many fans openly wondered if he planned on running for Senate. In a message to fans, Pearl revealed he won’t be running for public office, but will be serving as Auburn’s senator, an ambassador for the school.

“Many of you know that I thought about running for US senate,” Pearl said. “That would’ve required leaving Auburn. Instead, the University has given me an opportunity to stay here, and be Auburn’s senator, as an ambassador at Auburn”

While at the helm of the Tigers, Pearl led the program to a 244-123 record, two SEC Tournament titles, three regular-season conference championships. Additionally, he guided Auburn to its only two Final Four appearances in program history.

One of those appearances was last season, when the Tigers posted an impressive 32-6 overall record and a 15-3 mark in conference play. Many fans believed Pearl was planning on replacing Senator Tommy Tuberville, who is stepping away from his role to run for Alabama governor.

Tuberville had an extensive coaching history before entering politics. He served as the head football coach at Ole Miss, Auburn, Texas Tech and Cincinnati before running for Senate in 2020. In May, Tuberville told Semafor he would discourage Pearl from running for office.

“The compensation is a little bit different,” Tuberville said. “I wouldn’t let him do it because he did such a good job at Auburn. We need him there.”

Evidently, Pearl heeded Tuberville’s advice. Bruce Pearl’s son, Steven, will replace him as Auburn’s head coach in the 2025-26 season. While Bruce Pearl will undoubtedly miss coaching the Tigers, he believes his retirement is best for the program.

“Being the head coach of Auburn basketball is the privilege of my life,” Pearl said. “The opportunity to join with so many of the great, legendary coaches of the past and the present, I’m truly grateful. Eleven years ago, we planted roots, here, in Auburn, Alabama. And that won’t change. God truly had a plan. But, for me, it’s time.

“I’ve been a part of college basketball for almost 50 years, and the truth is it’s time. I told myself that when I got to the point where I could not give it my all, where I wasn’t necessarily 100%, where I couldn’t be the relentless competitor that you expected of me, that it was going to be time. And, as hard it is to say this, I reached the realization that it’s time for me to step aside.”