Bruce Pearl

Bruce Pearl is the Head Coach for the Auburn Tigers Men's Basketball Team.

Pearl assumed his position at Auburn in 2014 after a brief coaching hiatus, during which he was a college basketball analyst for ESPN. In his time as head coach at Auburn, he has produced one of the biggest turnarounds in the college basketball landscape, guiding the Tigers to 173 wins in nine seasons, the program’s first-ever No. 1 ranking in both national polls, and a memorable run to the school's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Final Four in 2019.

Prior to joining ESPN, Pearl was the head coach at Tennessee for six years. His team made the NCAA tournament all six years -- three times in the Sweet 16 -- setting a school record for consecutive appearances. He was also the first coach to lead the Vol's men's basketball team to a national #1 ranking. Pearl was recognized as the Adolph Rupp National Coach of the Year in 2008 and was also named SEC Coach of the Year in both 2006 and 2008; an honor he received once again in 2022.

At the height of his career, Pearl received a three-year ban from coaching after holding a cookout attended by high school juniors -- a violation of NCAA recruiting rules. Owning up to his mistake, Pearl seized his chance at a comeback by accepting an analyst position with ESPN. In addition, as a motivational keynote speaker, he shares life advice and success secrets -- which include accepting your mistakes, having a backup plan, and asking for advice -- to help others.

Pearl graduated from Boston College, where he served as the manager of the men's basketball team. He coached at UW-Milwaukee, where he led the team to the school's first NCAA tournament appearances. His first head coaching job was at Southern Indiana where he compiled a 231-46 record and was named NABC Division II Coach of the Year after leading the Eagles to their first Division II national championship.