History of Bruce Pearl in Timeline

Bruce Pearl is a prominent American college basketball coach, most recently leading the Auburn Tigers for 11 seasons. Prior to Auburn, he served as head coach at Tennessee, Milwaukee, and Southern Indiana. A career highlight was leading Southern Indiana to a Division II national championship in 1995, earning him Division II Coach of the Year honors from the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Sections (5)

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

March 18, 1960: Bruce Pearl's Birth

On March 18, 1960, Bruce Alan Pearl was born. He would later become a college basketball coach.

Others born on this day/year

January 2, 1966: Previous Victory Streak Started

On January 2, 1966, the previous Tennessee home victory streak began.

February 24, 1968: Previous Victory Streak Ended

On February 24, 1968, the previous Tennessee home victory streak ended.

1977: Tom Davis Head Coach at Boston College

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

1982: Assistant Coach at Stanford University

In 1982, Bruce Pearl began his tenure as an assistant coach at Stanford University.

1982: Graduation from Boston College

In 1982, Bruce Pearl graduated from Boston College, where he had served as the manager of the men's basketball team.

1986: Assistant Coach at Stanford University

Bruce Pearl served as an assistant coach at Stanford University until 1986.

1988: Recruiting Scandal Involving Deon Thomas

During the 1988 basketball season, Bruce Pearl, then an assistant coach at Iowa, was involved in a recruiting scandal concerning Deon Thomas and the University of Illinois. Pearl recorded a phone conversation with Thomas, which led to an NCAA investigation into alleged recruiting violations by Illinois.

1992: Head Coaching Job at Southern Indiana

In 1992, Bruce Pearl accepted his first head-coaching job at Southern Indiana (USI), inheriting a team that had a poor record in the previous season.

1992: Assistant Coach at University of Iowa

In 1992, Bruce Pearl concluded his time as an assistant coach at the University of Iowa.

1994: Loss in D-II Championship Game

In 1994, Bruce Pearl's USI team finished with a 28–4 record, ultimately losing 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 and was named Division II Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

1995: D-II Championship Victory

In 1995, Bruce Pearl led the USI Eagles to a D-II championship win with a 29-game-winning season. He was also named the NABC Division II coach of the year.

2001: Head Coach of Milwaukee

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

2003: First NCAA Tournament Appearance for Milwaukee

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

2004: First NIT Bid and NCAA D-I Postseason Victory for Milwaukee

In 2004, Bruce Pearl led 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 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: Deon Thomas's Interview

In a 2005 interview, Deon Thomas referred to Bruce Pearl as a 'snake,' reflecting lingering resentment over the recruiting scandal from 1988.

2005: Milwaukee's Best Season and NCAA Tournament Run

The 2005 season capped off the best season in Milwaukee history, as Bruce Pearl led the Panthers to win both the regular season and conference tournament titles. They 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.

2006: Sporting News Coach of the Year

In 2006, Bruce Pearl was named Coach of the Year by Sporting News.

2006: Pearl's First Season at Tennessee

In 2006, Bruce Pearl's first season at Tennessee saw the team win the SEC East but get upset in the second round of both the SEC and NCAA tournaments. Despite the upsets, the team's 22–8 record was one of the best in school history, and Pearl secured a top recruiting class.

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 action brought national media attention to the Tennessee program.

February 27, 2007: Pat Summitt's Cheerleading Performance

On February 27, 2007, Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt returned the favor to Pearl by appearing as a cheerleader during Senior Night for the men's team and led the crowd in a rendition of Rocky Top. Pearl's squad also defeated the Florida Gators that night.

March 27, 2007: Pearl Declines Iowa Coaching Position

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

February 23, 2008: Tennessee Defeats Memphis

On February 23, 2008, Bruce Pearl led the second-ranked Tennessee Volunteers to defeat the #1 ranked Memphis Tigers 66–62, handing Memphis its first loss of the season and its first home loss in 47 games.

March 5, 2008: Tennessee Wins SEC 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 NCAA Tournament

On March 16, 2008, Tennessee was selected as a #2 seed in the East region of the 2008 NCAA basketball tournament. They reached the Sweet 16, ending the season with the most victories in school history.

December 3, 2008: Pearl Wins 400th Game and Home Victory Streak

On December 3, 2008, Bruce Pearl won his 400th game by defeating UNC-Asheville, becoming the 6th-fastest coach to reach this milestone. That night also marked the 35th consecutive home victory for Tennessee, setting a new record.

2008: Adolph Rupp Cup Awarded

In 2008, Bruce Pearl was awarded the Adolph Rupp Cup.

March 2009: SEC Tournament Final and NCAA Tournament

In March 2009, Bruce Pearl led the Vols to their first SEC Tournament Final in 20 years, where they lost to Mississippi State. The Vols went on to earn a 9 seed in the NCAA tournament where they were eliminated by Oklahoma State.

March 20, 2009: NCAA Tournament Loss and Extension Agreement

On March 20, 2009, Tennessee was eliminated from the NCAA tournament by Oklahoma State. Soon after, Tennessee and Bruce Pearl agreed to a six-year extension for him to stay with the university.

November 17, 2009: Pearl Records 100th Victory at Tennessee

On November 17, 2009, Bruce Pearl recorded his 100th victory at Tennessee as his team defeated UNC-Asheville. The 124-point total was the most ever scored by Tennessee in a regular season game.

2009: Tribute to Ray Mears

During the 2009 SEC Men's Tournament Final, Bruce Pearl wore a brightly colored orange jacket in honor of the late University of Tennessee coach Ray Mears.

2009: Maccabi USA 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, marking 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' fifth straight NCAA tournament appearance under Pearl.

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, Bruce Pearl led the Tennessee Volunteers to their first Elite Eight appearance in school history after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 76–73.

September 4, 2010: Recruiting restrictions imposed

Starting September 4, 2010, as part of sanctions for NCAA violations, Bruce Pearl's off-campus recruiting was completely restricted.

September 10, 2010: Pearl Acknowledges NCAA Violations

On September 10, 2010, Bruce Pearl admitted to NCAA violations in the Aaron Craft affair and lying about it. Tennessee imposed sanctions including a $1.5 million salary reduction over 5 years and recruiting restrictions.

November 20, 2010: SEC Suspends Pearl for Eight Games

On November 20, 2010, the SEC ordered Bruce Pearl to sit out Tennessee's first eight SEC games as part of the sanctions for NCAA violations.

March 21, 2011: Tennessee Fires Bruce Pearl

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

August 23, 2011: Pearl Receives Show-Cause Penalty

On August 23, 2011, Bruce Pearl was given a three-year show-cause penalty by the NCAA for lying during an investigation, effective until August 23, 2014.

August 30, 2011: Pearl Joins H. T. Hackney

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 Restrictions

Bruce Pearl's recruiting restrictions, stemming from NCAA violations, concluded on September 23, 2011.

August 23, 2012: Assistant Coaches' Show-Cause Orders End

On August 23, 2012, the one-year show-cause orders given to Bruce Pearl's assistant coaches expired.

March 18, 2014: Pearl Named Auburn's Head Basketball 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.

August 23, 2014: End of Show-Cause Penalty

The three-year show-cause penalty imposed on Bruce Pearl by the NCAA expired on August 23, 2014.

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, 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 Conference Tournament

In 2019, Bruce Pearl's Auburn team won the SEC Conference tournament, defeating Tennessee 84–64, and advanced to their first Final Four after defeating Kansas, North Carolina, and Kentucky in the NCAA tournament.

2022: Unique Coaching Distinction

In 2022, Bruce Pearl was noted as being one of the few Division I basketball coaches who never played high school basketball, even at the junior varsity level, making him the only head coach in the 2022 NCAA tournament with that distinction.

2024: Successful 2024 Season for Auburn

During the 2024 season, Bruce Pearl's Auburn team achieved the #1 ranking in the AP poll for 8 weeks consecutively and secured a #1 seed in the SEC tournament. Auburn lost to Florida in the Final Four, ending the 2024 season with a 32–6 record.

January 7, 2025: Pearl Becomes Auburn's Winningest Coach

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

September 22, 2025: Pearl Steps Down as Auburn's 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. His son, Steven, succeeded him.

2025: Co-AP Coach of the Year

In 2025, Bruce Pearl was named Co-AP Coach of the Year alongside Rick Pitino.

2025: Steven Pearl Succeeds His Father as Auburn Head Coach

In 2025, Bruce Pearl's son, Steven, who played under his father at Tennessee and was his assistant at Auburn for 8 seasons, succeeded him as Auburn head coach.