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Bruce Pearl

Updated: Wikipedia source

Bruce Pearl

Bruce Alan Pearl (born March 18, 1960) is a former American college basketball coach who most recently served as the head coach of the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team for 11 seasons. He previously served in the same position for Tennessee, Milwaukee, and Southern Indiana. Pearl led Southern Indiana to a Division II national championship in 1995, during which he was named Division II Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. In Division I, his teams won four conference championships and four conference tournament championships, and qualified for eleven NCAA tournament appearances and two Final Four appearances. Pearl is the second-fastest NCAA coach to reach 300 victories, needing only 382 games to reach this mark (Roy Williams needed 370 games at Kansas to reach this milestone). His 277 wins with Auburn are the most by a coach in program history. Pearl was named Coach of the Year by Sporting News in 2006 and was awarded the Adolph Rupp Cup in 2008. He also served as the head coach for the Maccabi USA men's basketball team that won the gold medal at the 2009 Maccabiah Games. In 2025, Pearl was named Co-AP Coach of the Year alongside Rick Pitino.

Infobox

Born
(1960-03-18) March 18, 1960 (age 65)Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Alma mater
Boston College (BS)
1982–1986
Stanford (assistant)
1986–1992
Iowa (assistant)
1992–2001
Southern Indiana
2001–2005
Milwaukee
2005–2011
Tennessee
2014–2025
Auburn
Overall
706–268 (.725)
Tournaments
21–13 (NCAA Division I)1–1 (NIT)

Tables

Statistics overview · Head coaching record
Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles (Great Lakes Valley Conference) (1992–2001)
Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles (Great Lakes Valley Conference) (1992–2001)
Season
Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles (Great Lakes Valley Conference) (1992–2001)
1992–93
1992–93
Season
1992–93
Team
Southern Indiana
Overall
22–7
Conference
14–4
Standing
2nd
Postseason
NCAA Division II Regional Third Place
1993–94
1993–94
Season
1993–94
Team
Southern Indiana
Overall
28–4
Conference
16–2
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division II Runner-up
1994–95
1994–95
Season
1994–95
Team
Southern Indiana
Overall
29–4
Conference
15–3
Standing
3rd
Postseason
NCAA Division II champion
1995–96
1995–96
Season
1995–96
Team
Southern Indiana
Overall
25–4
Conference
18–2
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division II Sweet 16
1996–97
1996–97
Season
1996–97
Team
Southern Indiana
Overall
23–5
Conference
16–4
Standing
T–1st
Postseason
NCAA Division II First Round
1997–98
1997–98
Season
1997–98
Team
Southern Indiana
Overall
27–6
Conference
16–4
Standing
3rd
Postseason
NCAA Division II Sweet 16
1998–99
1998–99
Season
1998–99
Team
Southern Indiana
Overall
26–6
Conference
18–4
Standing
2nd
Postseason
NCAA Division II Sweet 16
1999–00
1999–00
Season
1999–00
Team
Southern Indiana
Overall
25–6
Conference
17–3
Standing
2nd
Postseason
NCAA Division II Sweet 16
2000–01
2000–01
Season
2000–01
Team
Southern Indiana
Overall
26–4
Conference
18–2
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division II First Round
Southern Indiana:
Southern Indiana:
Season
Southern Indiana:
Team
231–46 (.834)
Overall
148–28 (.841)
Milwaukee Panthers (Horizon League) (2001–2005)
Milwaukee Panthers (Horizon League) (2001–2005)
Season
Milwaukee Panthers (Horizon League) (2001–2005)
2001–02
2001–02
Season
2001–02
Team
Milwaukee
Overall
16–13
Conference
11–5
Standing
3rd
2002–03
2002–03
Season
2002–03
Team
Milwaukee
Overall
24–8
Conference
13–3
Standing
2nd
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 64
2003–04
2003–04
Season
2003–04
Team
Milwaukee
Overall
20–11
Conference
13–3
Standing
1st
Postseason
NIT First Round
2004–05
2004–05
Season
2004–05
Team
Milwaukee
Overall
26–6
Conference
14–2
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Sweet 16
Milwaukee:
Milwaukee:
Season
Milwaukee:
Team
86–38 (.694)
Overall
51–13 (.797)
Tennessee Volunteers (Southeastern Conference) (2005–2011)
Tennessee Volunteers (Southeastern Conference) (2005–2011)
Season
Tennessee Volunteers (Southeastern Conference) (2005–2011)
2005–06
2005–06
Season
2005–06
Team
Tennessee
Overall
22–8
Conference
12–4
Standing
1st (East)
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 32
2006–07
2006–07
Season
2006–07
Team
Tennessee
Overall
24–11
Conference
10–6
Standing
2nd (East)
Postseason
NCAA Division I Sweet 16
2007–08
2007–08
Season
2007–08
Team
Tennessee
Overall
31–5
Conference
14–2
Standing
1st (East)
Postseason
NCAA Division I Sweet 16
2008–09
2008–09
Season
2008–09
Team
Tennessee
Overall
21–13
Conference
10–6
Standing
T–1st (East)
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 64
2009–10
2009–10
Season
2009–10
Team
Tennessee
Overall
28–9
Conference
11–5
Standing
3rd (East)
Postseason
NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2010–11
2010–11
Season
2010–11
Team
Tennessee
Overall
19–15
Conference
8–8
Standing
5th (East)
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 64
Tennessee:
Tennessee:
Season
Tennessee:
Team
145–61 (.704)
Overall
65–31 (.677)
Auburn Tigers (Southeastern Conference) (2014–2025)
Auburn Tigers (Southeastern Conference) (2014–2025)
Season
Auburn Tigers (Southeastern Conference) (2014–2025)
2014–15
2014–15
Season
2014–15
Team
Auburn
Overall
15–20
Conference
4–14
Standing
13th
2015–16
2015–16
Season
2015–16
Team
Auburn
Overall
11–20
Conference
5–13
Standing
13th
2016–17
2016–17
Season
2016–17
Team
Auburn
Overall
6–14**
Conference
0–11**
Standing
11th
2017–18
2017–18
Season
2017–18
Team
Auburn
Overall
26–8
Conference
13–5
Standing
T–1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 32
2018–19
2018–19
Season
2018–19
Team
Auburn
Overall
30–10
Conference
11–7
Standing
T–4th
Postseason
NCAA Division I Final Four
2019–20
2019–20
Season
2019–20
Team
Auburn
Overall
25–6
Conference
12–6
Standing
T–2nd
Postseason
NCAA Division I Canceled*
2020–21
2020–21
Season
2020–21
Team
Auburn
Overall
13–14
Conference
7–11
Standing
T–10th
Postseason
Ineligible**
2021–22
2021–22
Season
2021–22
Team
Auburn
Overall
26–6
Conference
15–3
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 32
2022–23
2022–23
Season
2022–23
Team
Auburn
Overall
21–13
Conference
10–8
Standing
7th
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 32
2023–24
2023–24
Season
2023–24
Team
Auburn
Overall
27–8
Conference
13–5
Standing
T–2nd
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 64
2024–25
2024–25
Season
2024–25
Team
Auburn
Overall
32–6
Conference
15–3
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Final Four
Auburn:
Auburn:
Season
Auburn:
Team
244–123 (.665)
Overall
112–83 (.574)
Total:
Total:
Season
Total:
Team
706–268 (.725)
National champion         Postseason invitational champion         Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion       Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion       Conference tournament champion
National champion         Postseason invitational champion         Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion       Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion       Conference tournament champion
Season
National champion         Postseason invitational champion         Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion       Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion       Conference tournament champion
Season
Team
Overall
Conference
Standing
Postseason
Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles (Great Lakes Valley Conference) (1992–2001)
1992–93
Southern Indiana
22–7
14–4
2nd
NCAA Division II Regional Third Place
1993–94
Southern Indiana
28–4
16–2
1st
NCAA Division II Runner-up
1994–95
Southern Indiana
29–4
15–3
3rd
NCAA Division II champion
1995–96
Southern Indiana
25–4
18–2
1st
NCAA Division II Sweet 16
1996–97
Southern Indiana
23–5
16–4
T–1st
NCAA Division II First Round
1997–98
Southern Indiana
27–6
16–4
3rd
NCAA Division II Sweet 16
1998–99
Southern Indiana
26–6
18–4
2nd
NCAA Division II Sweet 16
1999–00
Southern Indiana
25–6
17–3
2nd
NCAA Division II Sweet 16
2000–01
Southern Indiana
26–4
18–2
1st
NCAA Division II First Round
Southern Indiana:
231–46 (.834)
148–28 (.841)
Milwaukee Panthers (Horizon League) (2001–2005)
2001–02
Milwaukee
16–13
11–5
3rd
2002–03
Milwaukee
24–8
13–3
2nd
NCAA Division I Round of 64
2003–04
Milwaukee
20–11
13–3
1st
NIT First Round
2004–05
Milwaukee
26–6
14–2
1st
NCAA Division I Sweet 16
Milwaukee:
86–38 (.694)
51–13 (.797)
Tennessee Volunteers (Southeastern Conference) (2005–2011)
2005–06
Tennessee
22–8
12–4
1st (East)
NCAA Division I Round of 32
2006–07
Tennessee
24–11
10–6
2nd (East)
NCAA Division I Sweet 16
2007–08
Tennessee
31–5
14–2
1st (East)
NCAA Division I Sweet 16
2008–09
Tennessee
21–13
10–6
T–1st (East)
NCAA Division I Round of 64
2009–10
Tennessee
28–9
11–5
3rd (East)
NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2010–11
Tennessee
19–15
8–8
5th (East)
NCAA Division I Round of 64
Tennessee:
145–61 (.704)
65–31 (.677)
Auburn Tigers (Southeastern Conference) (2014–2025)
2014–15
Auburn
15–20
4–14
13th
2015–16
Auburn
11–20
5–13
13th
2016–17
Auburn
6–14**
0–11**
11th
2017–18
Auburn
26–8
13–5
T–1st
NCAA Division I Round of 32
2018–19
Auburn
30–10
11–7
T–4th
NCAA Division I Final Four
2019–20
Auburn
25–6
12–6
T–2nd
NCAA Division I Canceled*
2020–21
Auburn
13–14
7–11
T–10th
Ineligible**
2021–22
Auburn
26–6
15–3
1st
NCAA Division I Round of 32
2022–23
Auburn
21–13
10–8
7th
NCAA Division I Round of 32
2023–24
Auburn
27–8
13–5
T–2nd
NCAA Division I Round of 64
2024–25
Auburn
32–6
15–3
1st
NCAA Division I Final Four
Auburn:
244–123 (.665)
112–83 (.574)
Total:
706–268 (.725)
National champion Postseason invitational champion Conference regular season champion Conference regular season and conference tournament champion Division regular season champion Division regular season and conference tournament champion Conference tournament champion

References

  1. Two other head coaches in the 2022 tournament played on their high school junior varsity teams, but never played at any
  2. Sporting News
    https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/auburn-head-basketball-coach-bruce-pearl-offers-emotional-thoughts-making-history-win-over-texas/4e226e52a87e4caa0d9ede70
  3. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/33253706/ranking-2022-ncaa-tournament-men-basketball-coaches-players-1-68
  4. fanduel.com
    https://www.fanduel.com/theduel/posts/video-bruce-pearl-discusses-being-team-manager-during-boston-college-point-shaving-scandal-01d7n7qnge9q
  5. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/ncb/id/2744789
  6. "University of Illinois, Champaign, Infractions Report"
    https://goomer.ncaa.org/wdbctx/lsdbi/LSDBi.MajorInfPackage.ProcessMultipleBylaws?p_Multiple=0&p_PK=93&p_Button=View+Public+Report&p_TextTerms=ThisIsADummyPhraseThatWillNotBeDuplicated&p_TextTerms2=ThisIsADummyPhraseThatWillNotBeDuplicated&p_Division=1
  7. Landman, Brian Cinderella fitted for a bull's-eye. St. Petersburg Times. March 24, 2005
    https://web.archive.org/web/20050403221052/http://www.sptimes.com/2005/03/24/Sports/Cinderella_fitted_for.shtml
  8. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&sportCat=ncb&id=3299331
  9. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/columns/story?id=3075198
  10. 247Sports
    https://247sports.com/college/tennessee/article/pearl-releases-dotson-104201827/
  11. www.ncaa.com
    https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2020-05-07/2006-ncaa-tournament-bracket-scores-stats-records
  12. Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting – Early enrollee, school switch change team rankings. Rivalshoops.rivals.com. Retrieved
    http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=585769
  13. Report: Bruce Pearl Turns Down Iowa Coaching Job – Sports News Story – KCCI Des Moines Archived September 27, 2007, at t
    https://www.kcci.com/sports/11404205/detail.html
  14. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/6892118/tennessee-volunteers-former-coach-bruce-pearl-assistants-punished-ncaa
  15. Transcript of Friday's press conference on the NCAA investigation of the men's basketball program. GoVolsXtra. Retrieved
    http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2010/sep/13/transcript-fridays-press-conference-ncaa-investiga/
  16. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=5824966
  17. "UT fires Bruce Pearl"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110323030132/http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=14278996
  18. Beth Rucker,Tennessee Fires Coach Bruce Pearl Archived March 22, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Associated Press via NBC
    http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/42198480/ns/sports-college_basketball/
  19. Kelly, Rob (March 21, 2011). "Bruce Pearl Fired: Does Jim Tressel Deserve the Same Fate at Ohio State?". Bleacher Report
    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/641278-ncaa-tournament-barry-bonds-tiger-woods-and-mondays-midday-sports-buzz/entry/55308-bruce-pearl-fired-does-jim-tressel-deserve-the-same-fate-at-ohio-state
  20. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/34543/in-the-end-the-right-people-were-punished
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    http://www.wkrn.com/story/15360964/pearl-takes-job-as-vp-for-knoxville-company
  22. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10626778/bruce-pearl-accepts-auburn-tigers-head-basketball-coaching-job
  23. WBRC.com
    https://www.wbrc.com/story/25011793/bruce-pearl-greets-auburn-basketball-fans-at-first-press-conference
  24. The War Eagle Reader, March 18, 2014.
  25. Staff, "Pearl's Buyout Clause Protects Auburn From Tennessee Archived 2014-03-20 at the Wayback Machine," The War Eagle
    https://web.archive.org/web/20201112013645/https://www.al.com/auburnbasketball/2014/03/bruce_pearl_signs_6-year_deal.html/
  26. AL.com
    http://www.al.com/auburnbasketball/index.ssf/2014/11/auburn_milwaukee.html
  27. The Tennessean
    http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/2015/03/14/kentucky-clobbers-auburn/24763827/
  28. Fly War Eagle
    http://flywareagle.com/2016/01/16/auburn-basketball-ends-18-game-losing-streak-to-kentucky-with-75-70-upset/
  29. USA Today
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/auburnauthority/2017/01/19/bruce-pearl-gets-500th-career-win-over-lsu-home/96757106/
  30. AL.com
    https://www.al.com/auburnbasketball/2018/01/this_auburn_basketball_team_pa.html
  31. Katz, Andy. (January 30, 2018). "Video: Bryce Brown talks about Auburn's surprise rise." NCAA website Retrieved January
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180201090807/https://www.ncaa.com/video/basketball-men/2018-01-30/mbk-andy-katz-auburn-bryce-brown
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    https://apnews.com/article/1f089cdc0f7240c0a872234e3be32415
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    https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/auburn/men/2020.html
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    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/32837077/auburn-tigers-men-basketball-placed-4-years-probation-bruce-pearl-suspended-2-games
  36. Montgomery Advertiser
    https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/auburn/2022/01/24/auburn-mens-basketball-ranked-number-1-first-time-program-history/6539794001/
  37. AL.com
    https://www.al.com/auburnbasketball/2022/03/revisiting-the-top-moments-from-auburn-basketballs-historic-season.html
  38. al
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  39. al
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  40. Auburn Tigers - Official Athletics Website
    https://auburntigers.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule
  41. Sporting News
    https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/auburn/news/auburn-head-basketball-coach-bruce-pearl-offers-emotional-thoughts-making-history-win-over-texas/4e226e52a87e4caa0d9ede70
  42. ESPN
    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401744172/tennessee-auburn
  43. ESPN
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  44. ESPN
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  45. ESPN
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  46. ESPN
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  47. ESPN
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  48. College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
    https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/bruce-pearl-1.html
  49. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/46347451/sources-bruce-pearl-expected-retire-auburn-hoops-coach
  50. USA Today
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  51. YouTube
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_nRO8KEEFo
  52. AuburnTigers.com
    https://auburntigers.com/news/2022/12/6/mens-basketball-pearl-named-one-of-the-top-100-people-positively-influencing-jewish-life.aspx
  53. "Auburn men's basketball program to forgo postseason for 2020-21 season"
    https://auburntigers.com/news/2020/11/22/auburn-mens-basketball-program-to-forgo-postseason-for-2020-21-season.aspx
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