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 basketball coach, most recently at Auburn for 11 seasons. Before that, he coached at Tennessee, Milwaukee, and Southern Indiana. His career highlight includes leading Southern Indiana to a Division II national championship in 1995 and earning the title of Division II Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Sections (5)

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

1977: Tom Davis head coach at Boston College

In 1977, Tom Davis served as head coach at Boston College, where Bruce Pearl had served as his team student-manager.

1982: Assistant coach at Stanford University

In 1982, Bruce Pearl served as an assistant coach at Stanford University.

1986: Assistant coach at Stanford University

In 1986, Bruce Pearl continued to serve as an assistant coach at Stanford University.

1992: Head coach at Southern Indiana

In 1992, Bruce Pearl became the head coach at Southern Indiana (USI). He inherited a team that had won just 10 games in the previous season.

1992: Assistant coach at University of Iowa

In 1992, Bruce Pearl was an assistant coach at University of Iowa under Coach Tom Davis.

1994: USI finished with a 28-4 record

In 1994, USI finished with a 28–4 record in route to a loss in the D-II championship game.

1995: Southern Indiana's Division II national championship

In 1995, Bruce Pearl led Southern Indiana to a Division II national championship. Pearl was named Division II Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

1995: Southern Indiana wins the D-II championship

In 1995, USI won 29 games and claimed the D-II championship behind National Player of the Year Stan Gouard.

2001: Head coach of Milwaukee

In 2001, Bruce Pearl took over as head coach of Milwaukee (UWM).

2003: First NCAA tournament appearance for Milwaukee

In 2003, Bruce Pearl led Milwaukee to their first NCAA tournament appearances.

2004: First NIT bid and NCAA D-I postseason victory for Milwaukee

In 2004, Bruce Pearl led the Milwaukee to its first ever NIT bid, as well as its first-ever NCAA D–I postseason victory.

March 28, 2005: Head coach at Tennessee

On March 28, 2005, Bruce Pearl was named as the new head coach at Tennessee, succeeding Buzz Peterson.

December 2005: Tennessee enters national rankings

In December 2005, Tennessee entered the national rankings after routing then No. 2-ranked Texas, 95–78.

2005: Milwaukee's best season

In 2005, Milwaukee's NCAA Tournament run capped the best season in school history. The Panthers won both the regular season and conference tournament titles.

2006: Tennessee's season highlights and recruiting class

In 2006, Tennessee led the SEC East for virtually the entire season, but lost 6 of its last 9 games and was upset in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Pearl drew accolades for signing one of the nation's best recruiting classes.

January 22, 2007: Pearl attends Lady Vols game painted orange

On January 22, 2007, Bruce Pearl attended a Lady Vols game with his upper body painted orange, spelling out "V-O-L-S" with his players. This brought national media attention and highlighted support for women's athletics.

March 27, 2007: Pearl declines Iowa coaching position

On March 27, 2007, Bruce Pearl indicated that he was not interested in leaving Tennessee, despite rumors linking him to the head coaching position at Iowa.

February 23, 2008: Tennessee defeats Memphis

On February 23, 2008, Bruce Pearl led the second-ranked Vols to defeat undefeated rival Memphis 66–62, handing Memphis its first loss of the season. Tennessee then received a #1 ranking the following week.

March 5, 2008: Tennessee claims SEC Regular Season Championship

On March 5, 2008, Bruce Pearl's team defeated the Florida Gators to claim Tennessee's first outright SEC Regular Season Championship in 41 years.

March 16, 2008: Tennessee in the 2008 NCAA basketball tournament

On March 16, 2008, Tennessee was chosen as a #2 seed in the East region of the 2008 NCAA basketball tournament. They advanced to the Sweet 16.

December 3, 2008: Pearl wins his 400th game

On December 3, 2008, Bruce Pearl won his 400th game, defeating UNC-Asheville, becoming the 6th-fastest basketball coach to reach the milestone. The game also marked Tennessee's 35th consecutive home victory.

March 2009: Pearl leads Vols to SEC Tournament Final

In March 2009, Bruce Pearl led the Vols to their first SEC Tournament Final in 20 years, where they lost to Mississippi State. Tennessee earned a 9 seed in the NCAA tournament. Pearl and Tennessee agreed to a six-year extension.

March 20, 2009: Tennessee Eliminated by Oklahoma State

On March 20, 2009, Tennessee was eliminated by Oklahoma State 77-75 during the NCAA tournament.

November 17, 2009: Pearl records 100th victory at Tennessee

On November 17, 2009, Bruce Pearl recorded his 100th victory at Tennessee. The team defeated UNC-Asheville 124–49, with the 124-point total setting a regular season record for Tennessee.

2009: Maccabi USA men's basketball team 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.

January 10, 2010: Tennessee defeats #1 Kansas

On January 10, 2010, Tennessee defeated the #1 ranked Kansas Jayhawks in Knoxville. This marked the first time Tennessee had defeated a #1 ranked team at Thompson–Boling Arena.

February 27, 2010: Tennessee defeats #2 Kentucky

On February 27, 2010, Tennessee defeated the #2 ranked Kentucky Wildcats in Knoxville, cementing the Vols' 5th straight NCAA tournament appearance.

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

On March 18, 2010, Bruce Pearl's 50th birthday, his Tennessee team defeated San Diego State 62–59 in the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament.

March 26, 2010: Tennessee Advances to Elite Eight

On March 26, 2010, the Tennessee Volunteers advanced to their first Elite Eight in school history, defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 76–73.

2010: Tennessee Beats Ranked Teams

In 2010, early in the 2010–11 season, Tennessee beat nationally ranked Villanova and Pittsburgh, reaching a 7–0 record and #7 AP ranking.

March 21, 2011: Tennessee Fires Bruce Pearl

On March 21, 2011, Tennessee fired Bruce Pearl after finding out about additional NCAA violations and a violation of the school's substance abuse policy by a player.

August 30, 2011: Pearl Accepts Marketing Position

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

September 23, 2011: End of Recruiting Restriction

September 23, 2011, marked the end of the period of complete off-campus recruiting restrictions for Bruce Pearl.

March 18, 2014: Pearl Named Auburn Head Coach

On March 18, 2014, Bruce Pearl was named Auburn's head basketball coach, replacing Tony Barbee, and signed a 6-year contract worth $2.2 million per year. He was formally introduced at a press conference in Auburn Arena.

August 23, 2014: End of Show-Cause Penalty

August 23, 2014, marked the end of Bruce Pearl's three-year show-cause penalty imposed by the NCAA.

November 14, 2014: Pearl Wins First Game as Auburn 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.

2015: Auburn Reaches SEC Tournament Semifinals

In 2015, Bruce Pearl led Auburn to the SEC tournament semifinals as a 13-seed.

2016: Auburn Ends Losing Streak to Kentucky

In 2016, Bruce Pearl ended Auburn's 18-game losing streak to Kentucky.

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.

2017: Success of 2017-18 Team

In 2017, Pearl led the 2017–18 Auburn team to its best record since 1999 and won the SEC regular season championship.

2019: Auburn Wins SEC Tournament and Advances to Final Four

In 2019, Bruce Pearl's Auburn team won the SEC Conference tournament and advanced to its first Final Four, defeating multiple top-ranked teams along the way.

2020: Successful 2020 Season

In 2020, Bruce Pearl and the Auburn Tigers had a successful season, finishing second in the SEC with a 25–6 record before the season's cancellation due to COVID-19.

2022: Historic 2022 Season for Pearl and Auburn

2022 was a historic season for Bruce Pearl and Auburn. The Tigers achieved their first-ever #1 ranking in the AP Poll, won the SEC regular season championship, set a program record for regular-season wins, and saw two players drafted in the first round of the NBA draft: Jabari Smith Jr. and Walker Kessler.

2022: Pearl Signs Contract Extension

During the 2022 season, Bruce Pearl signed an eight-year, $50.2 million contract extension with Auburn, effective after the season.

2024: Tremendous Success in 2024 Season

In the 2024 season, Auburn experienced tremendous success, securing the #1 ranking in the AP poll for 8 consecutive weeks. Despite an early exit in the SEC tournament, they were awarded a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and reached the Final Four.

January 7, 2025: Pearl Surpasses Eaves for Most Wins

On January 7, 2025, Bruce Pearl won his 214th game for Auburn at Texas, surpassing Joel Eaves for the most wins in program history.

September 22, 2025: Pearl Steps Down as Head Coach

On September 22, 2025, Bruce Pearl announced he was stepping down as head coach of Auburn to move into an ambassador position for the university, ending his 11-season tenure.