Report: Auburn pursuing contract extension with Bruce Pearl

Auburn University is proactively pursuing a contract extension with men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl, according to Justin Lee of the Opelika-Auburn News. Pearl’s name has been linked with several openings from the start of the season, including Maryland and now Louisville.

Pearl’s success at Auburn has sent the message that he can recruit and win anywhere with his current staff and support from the administration. He currently makes right around $4 million annually and his contract runs through 2023-24.

A potential Auburn contract extension would not only promise increased wages for Pearl, but also increase the buyout clause for any potential suitors. The Opelika-Auburn News reports that there is “comfort” within the Auburn athletic department that despite the outside interest, they believe Pearl will finish his coaching career with the Tigers.

One sticking point between Pearl and the Auburn administration has been the construction of a stand-alone men’s basketball facility. This reported interest from rival schools could be the final push needed to convince the school hierarchy to sign off on anything required. According to Auburn Live’s Justin Hokanson, that topic will be discussed in the next Board of Trustees meeting on Feb. 4.

More about Auburn facilities

Auburn has been taken over with pride in their basketball team. Enjoying a magical season, Bruce Pearl and the Tigers are the No. 1 team in the nation.

Now, more good news could be coming the program’s way. According to Tom Green of AL.com, major renovations for Auburn Arena are on the agenda for the next board of trustees meeting.

“Due to the heavy use of the Auburn Arena main court as the competition venue for men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, women’s gymnastics, and visiting team pre-game practice sessions, the main court is often not available for team practice sessions,” according to the agenda item listed in the meeting materials, via AL.com. “The proposed project… will allow both the men’s and women’s basketball programs to conduct practices at times that are advantageous to student-athletes and bring their facilities to Southeastern Conference competitive standards.”

Bennett Durando of the Montgomery Advertiser and USA Today Network provided a copy of the meeting agenda for the approval of the practice gym.

If it comes to fruition, Green notes that it’s set to be the latest renovation to Auburn Arena. Since he facility opened in 2010, it has experienced $3 million in upgrades to the men’s and women’s locker rooms. Moreover, program also unveiled a new scoreboard with wraparound LED video display following the 2019 season.