Bruce Pearl confirms retirement plans with emotional message to Auburn fans
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
In the wake of Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl’s shocking retirement, he’s released an emotional video with more details on why he made the tough decision.
The 65-year-old Pearl is expected to be supplanted by his son Steven Pearl. Bruce Pearl is the winningest basketball coach in Auburn with 232 victories. Pearl led the Tigers to the Final Four in 2019 and 2024.
“Eleven years ago, we planted roots here in Auburn, Alabama and that won’t change. God truly had a plan but for me, it’s time. I’ve been a part of college basketball for almost 50 years and the truth is, it’s time,” Pearl said. “I told myself that when I got to the point where I could not give it my all or I wasn’t necessarily 100 percent or I couldn’t be the relentless competitor that you expected of me, that it was going to be time.”
Pearl has also led Auburn to 5 SEC championships and 6 trips to the NCAA Tournament.
The loss of Pearl will be significant for Auburn but he certainly is leaving the program in a better place than when he arrived.
Auburn will open the 2025-26 season on Nov. 3 against Bethune-Cookman.
