Photo: Screenshot
Auburn University basketball coach Bruce Pearl announced his retirement on Monday and addressed rumors about a Senate run, bouncing them off the scoreboard.
In a farewell video posted to the Auburn Basketball X account, he described his journey, moving to “the loveliest little village on the plains” 11 years ago to lead the Auburn Tigers basketball team. “We dug in here, we built roots in Auburn, Alabama, and together with your help and unwavering support, we built this program from the ground up and took it to heights that never before had been reached.”
He noted. “Together, we built a program with core tenets based on faith, family, and passion, and together, we made history. We did our best to give god the glory and to call on him every chance we got.” He called this work the privilege of his life, but emotionally stated that it is time for him to step down after working in basketball for nearly 50 years and becoming the most successful men’s basketball coach in Auburn University’s history.
Dear Auburn Family, I truly love you.@CoachBrucePearl x #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/xFJAEetMLv
— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) September 22, 2025
He recognized the value of hard work instilled in him by his father and his first boss at Boston College, Coach Tom Davis. He explained how that philosophy helped him in supporting his children and players, while also remaining thankful and giving back to the community. “I’ve gone to work every day trying to reward you for giving me the opportunity to be your basketball coach and represent this unbelievable university.” He also expressed an understanding that he cannot give his all any longer, and his time to let someone else lead has come.
Photo Coach Pearl’s Twitter account, Apr. 13, 2023.
He thanked all the colleges he worked for, and that long list tells the story of a truly great career. Bruce Pearl graduated from Boston College and went on to Stanford University, where he became an assistant coach. Pearl then became an associate head coach at the University of Iowa, earning five NCAA Tournament slots while compiling a 129-63 overall record. From there, he moved up as head coach of the University of Southern Indiana, where he led the Screaming Eagles to win the national championship in 1995.
Pearl realized his first Division I opportunity at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and then went on to coach at the University of Tennessee, where his name was established. He was afforded the ability to serve as head coach of Maccabi USA’s open men’s basketball team at the 18th World Maccabiah Games in Israel, all before he found his home with the Auburn University Tigers.
In his farewell address, Pearl recognized his time in Tennessee as pivotal for his career, stating, “I may not have even made it to Auburn without the friendship and the support of my dear friend Sir Charles Barkley.” He detailed how Barkley called him when he was just a coach in Tennessee to compliment his team, not knowing that one day he would play under Pearl’s leadership. He stated that Barkley’s support for him and his team offered the credibility needed to achieve success.
Student athletes’ families, the Auburn staff, and the entire Auburn family were thanked by Pearl for their hard work and faith in his coaching, which led the Tigers to the Final Four. “Thank you for letting me be me. Thank you for letting me be a proud American Jewish patriot that loved this country with all of his heart, a country that saved his family, and also loving my ancestral Jewish homeland. The support of the Auburn family has been the key.”
He called Auburn home and addressed rumors of a potential Senate run. “Many of you know that I thought and prayed about maybe running for United States Senate. Maybe to be the next great senator from the state of Alabama. That would have required leaving Auburn. And instead, the university has allowed me to stay here and be Auburn’s senator.”
Pearl declared a need to focus on his family and be an Auburn ambassador. He promised to be present at all Auburn venues whenever possible. “Auburn family, I truly love you. We truly love you. But I hope you understand, it’s time.”