Bruce Pearl Steps Down at Auburn; Sources Doubt NBA Move
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AUBURN, Ala. — Bruce Pearl abruptly resigned Monday as Auburn University’s men’s basketball coach, leaving the program less than two months before the 2024-25 season begins.
The 65-year-old coach departs after 11 seasons in charge and only months after steering the Tigers to what sources said was the program’s second Final Four appearance. Associate head coach Steve Pearl, his son, is expected to assume the top job.
Last season, Auburn finished 28-5, earned the NCAA Tournament’s No. 1 overall seed, and saw Pearl share National Coach of the Year honors with St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino. Pearl’s 2019 run to the school’s first Final Four established Auburn as a national contender.
Before arriving on the Plains, Pearl guided Tennessee to six consecutive NCAA Tournament berths. His tenure there ended in 2011 when he was fired for providing false information to the NCAA during a recruiting investigation.
Despite periodic speculation that Pearl might jump to the NBA, multiple league executives told Hoops Wire they do not expect him to pursue a professional opportunity now. One source said the veteran coach is “more likely headed for politics than the NBA.”
The timing of Pearl’s exit leaves Auburn scrambling with the college basketball season roughly six weeks away.
Source: Hoops Wire
