Career Timeline of Bruce Pearl: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Bruce Pearl, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Bruce Pearl is an American college basketball coach currently leading the Auburn Tigers, where he holds the record for most wins. Before Auburn, he coached at Tennessee, Milwaukee, and Southern Indiana. He gained national recognition when he led Southern Indiana to a Division II national championship in 1995, earning him the title of Division II Coach of the Year.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1982: Assistant Coach at Stanford University

In 1982, Bruce Pearl began his tenure as an assistant coach at Stanford University, where he served until 1986. Also, in 1982, Tom Davis served as the head coach at Boston College where Pearl was his team student-manager.

1992: Head Coaching Job at Southern Indiana

In 1992, Bruce Pearl became the head coach at Southern Indiana (USI), taking over a team that had only won 10 games the previous season.

2001: Head Coach of Milwaukee

In 2001, Bruce Pearl became the head coach of Milwaukee (UWM).

March 28, 2005: Named Head Coach at Tennessee

On March 28, 2005, Bruce Pearl was named the new head coach at Tennessee, succeeding Buzz Peterson. He inherited a team in transition, with players leaving and entering the program.

2005: Milwaukee's Successful Season and NCAA Tournament Run

In 2005, Bruce Pearl led Milwaukee to a 26-6 record, their first NCAA tournament appearances in 2003 and 2005, winning both the regular season and conference tournament titles, defeating the Detroit Titans in the championship game. The Panthers, using an intense full-court press, scored two upsets in three days over Alabama and Boston College to advance to the Sweet Sixteen, where they fell to eventual national runner-up Illinois. Milwaukee finished the season ranked in the coaches poll at the end of the season for the first time ever (#23). He left UWM after the 2005 season.

March 27, 2007: Pearl Stays at Tennessee

On March 27, 2007, Bruce Pearl indicated that he was not interested in leaving Tennessee, despite being rumored as a candidate for the head coaching position at Iowa.

2009: Maccabiah Games Gold Medal

In 2009, Bruce Pearl served as the head coach for the Maccabi USA men's basketball team that won the gold medal at the Maccabiah Games.

February 27, 2010: Tennessee Defeats Kentucky

On February 27, 2010, Tennessee defeated the #2 ranked Kentucky Wildcats in Knoxville with a score of 74-65. This win secured the Vols' fifth straight NCAA tournament appearance, marking all five years that Bruce Pearl had coached the team.

March 18, 2010: Tennessee Defeats San Diego State in NCAA Tournament

On March 18, 2010, Bruce Pearl's 50th birthday, Tennessee defeated San Diego State in the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament with a score of 62-59. This victory was followed by a second round defeat of Ohio, 83-69, to advance to the Sweet 16 for the third time in four years, marking Pearl's fourth Sweet 16 appearance in six years.

Others born on this day/year

March 26, 2010: Tennessee Advances to Elite 8

On March 26, 2010, the Tennessee Volunteers advanced to their first Elite 8 in school history with a 76–73 defeat of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

March 21, 2011: Tennessee Fires Bruce Pearl

On March 21, 2011, Tennessee fired Bruce Pearl after discovering additional NCAA violations and a violation of the school's substance abuse policy by a player. This occurred three days after the Vols' blowout loss to Michigan.

August 30, 2011: Pearl Accepts Position at H. T. Hackney

On August 30, 2011, Bruce Pearl accepted a position as Vice President of Marketing for Knoxville wholesaler H. T. Hackney.

March 18, 2014: Pearl Named Auburn's Head Coach

On March 18, 2014, Bruce Pearl was named Auburn's head basketball coach, replacing Tony Barbee. He signed a 6-year contract worth $2.2 million per year with a $100,000 annual escalator. He still had five months remaining on his show-cause order for violations at Tennessee, which meant he could not have contact with recruits during the summer recruiting period, but could evaluate them.

August 23, 2014: End of Show-Cause Penalty

On August 23, 2014, the three-year show-cause penalty for lying to the NCAA that was given to Bruce Pearl expired, allowing him to resume all recruiting activities.

November 14, 2014: Pearl Wins First Game as Auburn's Head Coach

On November 14, 2014, Bruce Pearl won his first game as Auburn's head coach, against his former school, Milwaukee, with a score of 83–73.

January 18, 2017: Pearl Earns 500th Career Win

On January 18, 2017, Bruce Pearl earned his 500th career win as a head coach after Auburn defeated LSU, 78–74.

2019: Auburn Wins SEC Tournament and Advances to Final Four

In 2019, Bruce Pearl's Auburn team tied for 4th in the conference and won the SEC Conference tournament by defeating Tennessee with a score of 84–64. They then narrowly defeated New Mexico State, topped Kansas, beat North Carolina, and defeated Kentucky to advance to Auburn's first-ever Final Four. Auburn lost to Virginia in the Final Four with a score of 63–62.

2022: Historic Season for Pearl and Auburn

2022 was a historic season for Bruce Pearl and Auburn, Pearl led the Tigers to the programs first ever #1 ranking in the AP Poll. The Tigers would win the SEC regular season championship and set a program record for regular season wins, but would fall in the Round of 32 to Miami. Following the season, Pearl led the Tigers to make draft history as well. Auburn power forward Jabari Smith Jr. was selected number 3 overall in the 2022 NBA draft, making him the highest draft pick in program history. Auburn center Walker Kessler was also selected in the first round at pick twenty-two, marking the first time that Auburn has had multiple players taken in the first round.

2022: Pearl Signs Contract Extension

During the 2022 season, Bruce Pearl signed an eight-year, $50.2 million contract extension with Auburn. The new deal went into effect after the season.

2024: Auburn's 2024 Season

In the 2024 season, Auburn was ranked 11th in the preseason AP poll, but the team would have tremendous success, securing the #1 ranking in the AP poll for 8 consecutive weeks during the season. Pearl ended the 2024-25 season ended with a 32-6 record.

2024: Pearl's Coaching Record at Auburn

Through the end of the 2024-25 season, Bruce Pearl's record at Auburn is 246–125 (.663) and his overall record head coaching career record is 477–224 (.680).