Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl and senior All-American forward/center Johni Broome have earned prestigious honors from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) for their standout performances during the 2024-25 season. Pearl was named NABC Division I Coach of the Year, while Broome was awarded the NABC Pete Newell Big Man of the Year.
This marks the first time in Auburn history that both the head coach and player have received these distinguished awards in the same season. Pearl’s achievement comes after guiding Auburn to an impressive 32-5 overall record and securing the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. Under Pearl’s leadership, Auburn also clinched the SEC regular season title with a dominant 15-3 record, and now stands in the Final Four for the second time in his tenure.
Notably, this is Pearl’s second recognition from the NABC, having previously won Division II Coach of the Year honors in 1995 while at Southern Indiana. With this new distinction, Pearl joins a select group of coaches, becoming just the second ever to win both NABC Division I and II Coach of the Year honors, alongside the legendary John Chaney.
Pearl’s remarkable achievements have earned him recognition as one of the elite coaches in college basketball, with only eight coaches in SEC history achieving multiple Final Four appearances, including icons like Adolph Rupp, Billy Donovan, and John Calipari.
Broome’s exceptional play has been central to Auburn’s success this season. Averaging a double-double with 18.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, Broome has been a dominant force on both ends of the floor. His efforts have kept Auburn near the top of the national rankings for most of the season, and his performance in the South Regional Final, where he posted 25 points and 14 rebounds, was a key factor in Auburn advancing to the Final Four in San Antonio.
The NABC awards highlight the standout individuals who have shaped the college basketball landscape this season. Cooper Flagg of Duke took home the NABC Division I Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors, while Ryan Kalkbrenner of Creighton earned the NABC Defensive Player of the Year award.
For Auburn, Pearl and Broome’s success serves as a testament to the strength of the program and the impact of their leadership and performance, as they look to cap off an unforgettable season with a potential national championship.
