Auburn HC Bruce Pearl retires, son and associate HC Steven Pearl takes over

Bruce Pearl is retiring, sources tell AuburnSports.

The Auburn head coach will not coach another season. Instead, associate head coach Steven Pearl will take over the program for the 2025-26 season and beyond.

The news became official on Monday afternoon.

“I’m incredibly grateful to President Dr. Roberts, Athletics Director John Cohen, and the entire Auburn leadership team for entrusting me with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Steven Pearl said. “In a sense, I’ve spent my lifetime preparing for this moment, learning from one of the best in BP, and building a foundation rooted in character, hard work, and team-first values. We’re not starting over — we’re building forward, with the same principles that have made Auburn Basketball elite. I’m honored to lead this program, and I’m ready to rise to the moment.”

Bruce Pearl released a lengthy goodbye video. You can read everything Pearl said here or watch the entire 14-minute video.

Since arriving in 2014, the elder Pearl transformed Auburn basketball from an SEC afterthought into a national contender. Taking over a program with little recent success, he injected energy, built a culture of confidence, and turned Auburn into a destination for top recruits.

The results quickly followed. In 2019, Pearl guided the Tigers to their first-ever Final Four, highlighted by upset tournament wins over Kansas, North Carolina, and Kentucky. That run not only redefined Auburn’s ceiling as a program but also cemented Pearl as one of college basketball’s most impactful coaches.

Auburn returned to the Final Four this past season, winning a school-record 32 games and notching more Quad I wins than any SEC program in regular season history.

Pearl’s tenure has been marked by both consistency and flair.

Under Bruce Pearl, Auburn has captured three SEC regular-season and two tournament titles, produced NBA talent like Chuma Okeke, Isaac Okoro, Jabari Smith Jr., and Walker Kessler, and routinely filled Neville Arena with one of the rowdiest home crowds in the league. His style — uptempo, aggressive, and built on player development — has kept Auburn competitive year after year in the country’s toughest basketball conference.

More importantly, he’s made Auburn basketball relevant on the national stage, something few could have envisioned before his arrival. Pearl finishes with 246 wins at Auburn, 11 NCAA Tournament wins and seven draft picks.

Equally important is Pearl’s connection with the Auburn fanbase. His charisma, openness, and relentless energy resonate with students and alumni alike, creating a bond that feels more like family than formality. His passion for the university extends beyond basketball. By embracing the culture and engaging with the community, he’s helped turn basketball into a year-round obsession on a campus long dominated by football.

That personal touch has solidified his place as one of the most beloved figures in Auburn athletics.

Expect Pearl to remain an active ambassador for the university.