Bruce Pearl may have stepped down from his role as head coach of the Auburn men’s basketball team, but he remains deeply embedded within the university’s athletic framework. In a recent video announcing his retirement, Pearl revealed that he contemplated running for the U.S. Senate but ultimately chose to stay at Auburn to be “Auburn’s senator.”
Pearl has taken on the position of Special Assistant to the Athletics Director, a role that allows him to continue contributing to Auburn in various capacities. Auburn Athletic Director John Cohen shared insights about Pearl’s responsibilities, highlighting his involvement in fundraising and speaking engagements. “Bruce is helping us with fundraising. He’s going to speak everywhere,” Cohen remarked, emphasizing Pearl’s role in promoting the Auburn experience and the values of being an Auburn man or woman.
In addition to his new role, Cohen noted that he has sought Pearl’s input regarding the search for a new head football coach, underscoring the wealth of experience Pearl brings to the table. “I think he’s very valuable, and he’s been a great resource for us already,” Cohen added.
During his impressive tenure of 11 years as head coach, Pearl became the all-time winningest coach in Auburn history, guiding the team to three SEC regular-season championships, two SEC Tournament titles, and two appearances in the Final Four. Following his retirement, his son, Steven Pearl, has taken the helm as the new head coach, leading the Tigers to a strong start of 4-1 so far this season, with their only defeat against then-No. 1 Houston.
In addition to his duties at Auburn, Pearl is also making waves as a college basketball analyst for TNT and CBS Sports. He is set to join the TNT studio crew for this week’s Player’s Era Festival, a tournament in which Auburn will compete. The Tigers’ first game is slated for 7 p.m. CT on Monday against Michigan, and fans can catch the action live on TruTV.
Bruce Pearl’s ongoing contributions highlight his lasting commitment to the Auburn community, promising to inspire and support both current and future athletes.