Let the Steven Pearl era begin.
Auburn’s men’s basketball program is officially under new leadership as Steven Pearl, son of Bruce Pearl, is set to take over the Tigers’ program following his father’s retirement. Bruce Pearl, who spent the last 11 years leading Auburn to unprecedented heights, officially announced his retirement on Monday. He will continue to work in an ambassador’s role in the athletic department as special assistant to the athletic director.
Steven Pearl, who has been on the Tigers’ staff since 2014 in various roles, will be the first to admit that his father is one-of-one, and no one can walk in and fill his shoes.
Steven Pearl was reminded of a moment when the two were at the University of Milwaukee when his father walked into the student cafeteria, stood up on a table, and started screaming at the students, encouraging them to come watch a basketball game.
Steven Pearl thought it was normal. But he quickly realized that’s what made his father, Bruce Pearl, different. It’s why he led Auburn to two Final Fours, five conference titles and a No. 1 ranking for the first time in program history.
And Steven Pearl knows he’d be a fool to change things within the program just to be different. He expressed on Wednesday that Auburn fans can expect to see a lot of the same stuff from the last 11 years.
“I’d be a fool if I were to change things just for the sake of changing – just to prove that I’m not BP,” said Steven Pearl.
Bruce Pearl came to a final decision on Sunday evening, and that’s when athletic director John Cohen approached Steven Pearl about the job. Obviously, he accepted the job. He said that he endured unwavering support from his players, which is precisely what he needed at the time.
“I can’t thank you enough for how you’ve handled everything,” Steven Pearl said to his players on Wednesday at his opening press conference.
Steven Pearl said that Abdul Bashir, Kevin Overton and Kaden Magwood all walked out into the hallway and hugged him, saying, “I’m with you, coach. I love you.”
Steven Pearl may have been a bit rattled on Monday when he heard the news. But his father, his staff, Cohen, his players and even himself know that he is fully equipped and ready to continue building Auburn basketball into a perennial powerhouse.
“I've been preparing for this moment my entire life. The last 16 years, I've been in every aspect of college basketball,” Steven Pearl said.
Auburn fans can expect Bruce Pearl to stick around the program, although Steven Pearl noted they may find him on the golf course more often than not.
“I'm going to ask him to come to practice every once in a while to bring some additional love and energy into the building," Steven Pearl said.
The two Pearls, who have been together since Day 1, will no longer stand alongside each other in the huddle. They won’t gameplan or watch film together or accompany each other on the Tigers’ bench. Those days are over, but they were extremely valuable to Steven Pearl, and they certainly prepared him for this moment.
“I can put a number on those accomplishments,” Steven Pearl said on Monday. “But I can’t begin to quantify what I have learned from you (Bruce) to prepare me for this moment.
Auburn will begin play in an exhibition matchup with Oklahoma State on October 15 at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
