Bruce Pearl is ready to make his mark on college basketball this season, stepping into a new role as an analyst despite his recent retirement from coaching. Both TNT and CBS Sports confirmed on Thursday that the former Auburn Tigers head coach will join their coverage this season.
In his new position, Pearl will team up with sports personalities Jalen Rose, Jamal Mashburn, Chris Webber, and Adam Lefkoe on TNT’s studio crew as they embark on their inaugural season covering Big East and Big 12 games. Additionally, Pearl will serve as a game and studio analyst for CBS throughout the regular season and will transition into the studio for the joint coverage of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
This role represents a natural progression for Pearl, who has experience working with CBS and TNT in previous years, particularly during the NCAA tournament when his teams faced early exits. The close proximity of Turner Network Studios in Atlanta, just a two-hour drive from his home in Auburn, Alabama, adds to the convenience of his new endeavor.
At 65, Pearl announced his retirement on September 22 after leading Auburn to its second Final Four appearance in program history. Reflecting on the swift outreach from networks, he mentioned, “I don’t think it took them 24 hours to reach out… I was pleased that they called and had some interest.”
With a distinguished record of 694 wins against 270 losses over 30 seasons at the helm of programs including Milwaukee, Tennessee, and Auburn, Pearl has taken teams to the NCAA tournament 22 times. He also clinched an NCAA Division II championship at Southern Indiana. Notably, last season Pearl was co-awarded The Associated Press Men’s College Basketball Coach of the Year alongside Rick Pitino from St. John’s, marking a historic tie in the award’s 58-year history.
Excited about this new chapter, Pearl is keen to share his extensive knowledge of the game. “I’m going to try to bring the same passion and intensity, and I look forward to being able to teach a little bit and share some of the nuances of how does that guy get open like that and what did it take for them to be able to get that shot?” he expressed. Pearl believes that viewers possess a higher level of understanding than analysts often assume.
Meanwhile, Auburn, now under the guidance of Steven Pearl—who spent all 11 seasons as his father’s assistant—is currently ranked 20th in the Preseason Associated Press Top 25. CBS has also welcomed former player Robbie Hummel to the analyst team for both the regular season and the NCAA tournament, further enhancing their coverage.
With Pearl’s transition to broadcasting, fans can anticipate insightful commentary and a deeper understanding of the sport during this college basketball season.