WATCH: Auburn basketball head coach Bruce Pearl’s full retirement video
Dear Auburn family. 11 years ago. My family and I moved to the loveliest little village on the plains. We dug in here, we built roots in Auburn, Alabama, and together with your help and unwavering support, we built this program from the ground up and took it to heights that never before had been reached. Together we created. The best home court advantage in all of college basketball. Neville Arena. Well Reese, it’s, uh, first of all, it’s great to be back at Neville Arena in front of the best fans in college basketball. Together we invested in this community and changed lives. What was the incredible outlive program, Auburn basketball’s fight against cancer. Or the Together we will scholarships and the Melton scholarships. Or Bruce Pearl for the kids to help benefit Children’s Harbor at Lake Martin. Together we did everything we could to make Auburn the everything school that it is. Together we built and helped graduate 51 Auburn basketball players in the last 11 years um because program has definitely changed my life to the fullest, um, you know, not only in basketball but. As *** man, as an Auburn man, I feel like if I had to make this decision 1000 more times I wouldn’t choose nowhere else but Auburn so. Together we helped ensure that lifelong dreams became possible, became *** reality for those that wore the Auburn jersey. Together we brought championships to the Plains, 5 in the last 8 years alone. Together we built *** program with core tenants based on faith, family, and passion, and together. We made history. We did our best to give God the glory. And to call on him every chance we got. Thank you. We’re going to San Antonio. Being the head coach of Auburn basketball is the privilege of my life. The opportunity to join with so many of the great. Legendary coaches of the past and the present. I’m truly grateful. 11 years ago, we planted roots here in Auburn, Alabama. And that won’t change. God truly had *** plan. But for me It’s time. I’ve been *** 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 as it is to say this, I’ve reached the realization. But it’s time for me to step aside. My dad taught me to work hard. I was cutting grass at 5 and shoveling snow at 7. He told me that hard work wouldn’t guarantee success. But without hard work, I wouldn’t have success and it was my choice. It’s what I’ve instilled in my players. It’s what I’ve instilled in my children and their families, and I’m so proud of all of them for working so hard and representing our family name. I’ve been asked before what I wanted out of my legacy. I’ve gone to work every day. I’m trying to reward you. For giving me the opportunity to be your basketball coach and represent this unbelievable university. I hope in some way I’ve earned it. So after 30 years of being *** head coach. Lots of sleepless nights, the anxiety, the pressure, and quite frankly, the fear of not being able to live up to the lofty expectations that we’ve established here at Auburn. I just feel When I can’t give 100%. It’s time to pass the torch. You know, I tell my players. That’s *** pretty good chance that you’re good at something. You had *** pretty good teacher. And I’ve had some great teachers, starting with my dad. And extending to my first boss, Doctor Tom Davis, who saw something in me that I did not see in myself, and he gave me an opportunity to be his assistant coach at Boston College, Stanford and the University of Iowa. I’m so grateful that I got to Auburn in time to meet and get to know the legendary Pat D. One of my Life’s greatest achievements. was that I was able to get to know Coach and earn his respect and trust as an Auburn manor. I can’t look back at my time here at Auburn without thanking so many people. At Auburn Jay Jacobs, Jay Googe, and the board of trustees that was here at that time back in 2014. They gave this coach another chance. Our current leadership, President Doctor Chris Roberts. The current members of the board of trustees. John Cohen, my athletic director, and the incredible team that he has built. Our many loyal supporters. Too many to name who believed in us. Before it became fashionable. Who gave us the patience at first to know that we had *** ways to go to build *** championship program. The SEC Commissioner Mike Slave, Commissioner Greg Sanke and your leadership. Thank you for believing that Auburn men’s basketball. Could be among the best in our incredible conference. I’d also like to thank Boston College, my alma mater, Stanford University. When I was first an assistant coach at the University of Iowa, where I rose to be an associate head coach. And then of course, the University of Southern Indiana, where I was *** head coach for the very first time. Won *** national championship in 1995. The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. We gave me my first Division One opportunity. The University of Tennessee and the many coaches, student athletes, friends, administrators. That were part of this incredible journey. The many media members who spent time covering our practices not used to what an open practice would really look like. Thank you for your trust. And thank you for telling the world how special this basketball program truly is. I may not have even made it to Auburn. Without the friendship and the support of my dear friend, Sir Charles Barkley. You know, he called me when I was *** coach at Tennessee, didn’t know him. He didn’t care to know me. He just left me *** message one day and said, Coach, I like the way your teams play. Little did I know that *** few years later I would be his basketball coach. Charles embracing this university, me, my family, and this basketball program had *** lot to do. With giving us the credibility that we needed to compete with the very best programs in this country. Thank you, Charles. To the families Of the student athletes that I’ve coached over the course of my career. Thank you for trusting me with your sons. Thank you for allowing me to try to make *** difference in their lives more than just on the basketball court. To my current players. and to their families. I’ve got *** special favor to ask you. Please understand. It’s time I may not be there to coach your son on *** daily basis. But I promise I will continue to be in their lives. Just as I would have been if I was her head coach this year. And finally to my staff. The best staff in all of college basketball. You can’t look around the country and see *** staff that’s been together longer. Fought harder Competed more honorably. Been more loyal, more hardworking. Than this current staff. The men and women that are working for Auburn basketball. You guys brought the final force to this campus. And I have no doubt that you’re gonna continue. To do this work as you were taught. As auburn men Our players Our coaches have truly loved Auburn. And Auburn You’ve truly loved our teams. Auburn family Thank you for letting me be me. Thank you for letting me be *** proud American Jewish patriot that loved this country with all his heart, *** country that saved his family and also loving my ancestral Jewish homeland. The support of the Auburn family. Has been the key Whether it was building the best home court environment here in Neville Arena. are taking the show on the road. Over the last several years, there has not been *** better basketball program in the country than Auburn. In large part because of our incredible Auburn family and that fan base. The DNA of this program. It won’t be changing. I am incredibly confident. Of the future of this basketball program. To continue to recruit student athletes. That want to be coached, that wanna be great, and they want to continue to make history. Auburn is our home. Franny and I are staying right here. Many of you know that I thought and prayed. About maybe writing for United States Senate. Maybe to be the next great senator from the state of Alabama. That would have required leaving Auburn. And instead, the university has given me an opportunity to stay here. And be Auburn’s senator. I need to focus now on being *** great husband. Being *** great father. Being the best grandfather I possibly can be. At the same time, As an ambassador at Auburn. I’m gonna do everything I can. To keep helping Auburn be the very best version of what it possibly can be. Trying to lead Trying to be an auburn man. And let this continue to be the best everything school anywhere in the country, and I can promise you that when I can be at Neville Arena, Jordan Hare, Plainsman Park, and all of our venues, I’m gonna be there. I’m gonna try to stay off the refs and the umps as best I possibly can. But I’m gonna be loud And I’m gonna be proud, but for me now, it’s time to take off that jacket. The one that Brandy and my family encouraged me to put on. And pass that jacket on to somebody else. Who is uniquely qualified. To maintain the level of success. Of this basketball program. Auburn family. I truly love you. We truly love you. But I hope you understand It’s time Or.
WATCH: Auburn basketball head coach Bruce Pearl’s full retirement video
Updated: 5:32 PM CDT Sep 22, 2025
The all-time winningest coach in Auburn men’s basketball history is stepping down.On Monday, Bruce Pearl announced that he would be retiring from his position on the Plains. He is set to hand over the reins to his son, Steven Pearl, the team’s associate head coach.“Eleven years ago, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to become the head basketball coach at Auburn, and it has been nothing short of amazing. With the Auburn Family’s unwavering support, we have built a program from the ground up and taken it to heights it had never reached before. Not only have we won championships, but we have built the best home-court advantage in college basketball, we’ve invested in this community and changed lives, and we’ve developed and graduated Auburn men. We built a program with the core tenants of faith, family and passion, and together, we made history. I hope we have made Auburn proud,” he said.“I have been at this for almost 50 years and truthfully as hard as it is for me to say this, I have come to the realization that it’s time for me to step aside. Being the head coach at Auburn has been the privilege of my life. “There are so many people to thank, but the success that we achieved would not have been possible first and foremost, without the players who worked incredibly hard to improve every day on the court, in the classroom and developing into men. I’ve had the best staff in the country and can’t thank then enough for their commitment. We’ve had tremendous support from our university administration, athletic administration and the Board of Trustees, whom I’m incredibly grateful for. I want to thank Jay Jacobs and Jay Gogue for hiring me as well as our current administration, Dr. Chris Roberts and John Cohen, for their commitment to excellence.A look at WVTM 13 breaking news coverage:“Auburn Family, I love you and I hope you understand that for me, it is time. Brandy and I are looking forward to the opportunity to continue serving the Auburn Family – just, in a new capacity. War Eagle!”Listen to Hugh Freeze praise Bruce Pearl on the day of the announcement below.In his 11 years on the plains, Pearl led the program to two Final Four appearances, five Southeastern Conference championships, and six NCAA Tournament berths, becoming the all-time winningest coach in Auburn men’s basketball history in the process.“While Bruce has been a stalwart of college basketball for his entire career, nowhere has he made a stronger impact than his 11 years at Auburn. During his tenure on the Plains, Bruce has brought pride to the Auburn family as he pursued and won championships through relentless toughness and determination,” said Auburn Athletic Director John Cohen. “I have seen BP coach over these last three seasons, not just games, but at morning workouts, and in the practice gym. It has been a pleasure watching Coach Pearl love the student-athletes so deeply and take pride in their success both on and off the court – but also instilling in them what it is to be an Auburn man.Watch Bruce Pearl below on becoming career wins leader at AuburnOur parent company, Hearst, is a part owner of ESPN.
AUBURN, Ala. —
The all-time winningest coach in Auburn men’s basketball history is stepping down.
On Monday, Bruce Pearl announced that he would be retiring from his position on the Plains. He is set to hand over the reins to his son, Steven Pearl, the team’s associate head coach.
“Eleven years ago, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to become the head basketball coach at Auburn, and it has been nothing short of amazing. With the Auburn Family’s unwavering support, we have built a program from the ground up and taken it to heights it had never reached before. Not only have we won championships, but we have built the best home-court advantage in college basketball, we’ve invested in this community and changed lives, and we’ve developed and graduated Auburn men. We built a program with the core tenants of faith, family and passion, and together, we made history. I hope we have made Auburn proud,” he said.
“I have been at this for almost 50 years and truthfully as hard as it is for me to say this, I have come to the realization that it’s time for me to step aside. Being the head coach at Auburn has been the privilege of my life.
“There are so many people to thank, but the success that we achieved would not have been possible first and foremost, without the players who worked incredibly hard to improve every day on the court, in the classroom and developing into men. I’ve had the best staff in the country and can’t thank then enough for their commitment. We’ve had tremendous support from our university administration, athletic administration and the Board of Trustees, whom I’m incredibly grateful for. I want to thank Jay Jacobs and Jay Gogue for hiring me as well as our current administration, Dr. Chris Roberts and John Cohen, for their commitment to excellence.
A look at WVTM 13 breaking news coverage:
“Auburn Family, I love you and I hope you understand that for me, it is time. Brandy and I are looking forward to the opportunity to continue serving the Auburn Family – just, in a new capacity. War Eagle!”
Listen to Hugh Freeze praise Bruce Pearl on the day of the announcement below.
In his 11 years on the plains, Pearl led the program to two Final Four appearances, five Southeastern Conference championships, and six NCAA Tournament berths, becoming the all-time winningest coach in Auburn men’s basketball history in the process.
“While Bruce has been a stalwart of college basketball for his entire career, nowhere has he made a stronger impact than his 11 years at Auburn. During his tenure on the Plains, Bruce has brought pride to the Auburn family as he pursued and won championships through relentless toughness and determination,” said Auburn Athletic Director John Cohen. “I have seen BP coach over these last three seasons, not just games, but at morning workouts, and in the practice gym. It has been a pleasure watching Coach Pearl love the student-athletes so deeply and take pride in their success both on and off the court – but also instilling in them what it is to be an Auburn man.
Watch Bruce Pearl below on becoming career wins leader at Auburn
Our parent company, Hearst, is a part owner of ESPN.