Todd Golden congratulates Steven Pearl on becoming Auburn head coach
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Steven Pearl and Todd Golden are arguably the friendliest of foes in SEC basketball.
Auburn announced on Monday that Steven Pearl is the program’s new head basketball coach, with father Bruce Pearl retiring. Golden, a former assistant, released a statement congratulating his former teammate and colleague.
I’m extremely excited for my great friend Steven Pearl as he begins this opportunity to lead the men’s basketball program at Auburn University,” Golden said. “Steven and I have grown very close over the past 20 years. From being teammates and playing together in Australia and Israel, to coaching together in the early years at Auburn, as well as competing against each other in last year’s NCAA Final Four – I know Steven is prepared and ready to continue the upward trajectory of the Auburn Men’s Basketball program.
“Steven has a great defensive mind and the results of Auburn being a top ten defensive team in three of the last four years speak to that. He is also a fantastic talent evaluator and recruiter. Steven has been an integral part of Auburn’s resurrection in hoops, serving in many different roles during his time on the Plains, and also being the one constant staff member alongside Bruce during their 11 years. Steven is a great husband, father, and leader – and I am excited to see him take the next step in his career. Steven knows he will always have my family’s love and support (unless the Tigers are playing the Gators)!!
As Golden mentioned, the two worked together on the Tiger staff. Golden was an Auburn assistant from 2014-16 before taking the associate coach position at San Francisco. Pearl remained on his father’s staff.
During the 2024-25, Golden and Pearl’s teams had 2 memorable meetings. Florida handed then-No. 1 Auburn its first SEC loss of the season with a 90-81 win on The Plains in February. The Gators and Tigers met again in the Final Four, a 79-73 win for UF en route to a national championship.
“Steven has a great defensive mind…also a fantastic talent evaluator and recruiter.”
— Justin Hokanson (@_JHokanson) September 22, 2025
Classy statement from Florida HC Todd Golden on his friend taking over the Auburn program pic.twitter.com/dpKsSc4Yjv
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
