Auburn, AL – Auburn basketball has entered a new era, but it’s one that carries a familiar name. Steven Pearl, son of legendary head coach Bruce Pearl, has been officially named the Tigers’ 22nd head coach in program history, signing a five-year contract to lead the team forward.
The announcement comes just weeks after Bruce Pearl’s retirement, ending one of the most successful coaching runs in Auburn basketball history. Instead of searching nationally for a replacement, Auburn has chosen continuity, elevating a leader who has spent more than a decade learning, building, and shaping the program from the inside.
Steven Pearl, 38, has served 11 years on the Auburn staff, most recently as associate head coach. His responsibilities ranged from spearheading recruiting in both the high school and transfer markets to designing defensive schemes, overseeing player development, and in-game strategy. Auburn athletic director John Cohen emphasized that this decision wasn’t about sentiment, but about proven readiness.
“Through our extensive process, it became clear Steven was the best fit to lead Auburn basketball,” Cohen said. “His reputation as a recruiter, strategist, motivator, and teacher makes him uniquely qualified to carry this program forward.”
Bruce Pearl himself, the winningest coach in Auburn history, fully endorsed the hire. “Nobody is more qualified to maintain Auburn’s culture of faith, family, and fight than Steven,” Bruce said. “He’s tougher than I am, and just as competitive. Auburn basketball is in great hands.”
Steven expressed gratitude and determination in his first statement as head coach. “We’re not starting over — we’re building forward,” he said. “I’m honored to lead this program and ready to rise to the moment.”
The decision ensures stability for a team that has risen to national prominence over the past decade, with two Final Four appearances and multiple SEC titles under the Pearl era. By choosing Steven, Auburn aims to preserve its culture while injecting fresh energy and leadership.
For Auburn fans, the transition is both sentimental and forward-looking — the passing of the torch from father to son, with the promise that the foundation of success will not only remain intact but continue to grow.
