History of Bruce Pearl in Timeline

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

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

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.

1995: Southern Indiana Wins National Championship

In 1995, Bruce Pearl's Southern Indiana team won 29 games and claimed the Division II National Championship, led by National Player of the Year Stan Gouard. Pearl 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).

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.

2006: Sporting News Coach of the Year

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

January 22, 2007: Pearl Supports Lady Vols

On January 22, 2007, Bruce Pearl attended a Lady Vols game with his upper body painted orange, spelling out "V-O-L-S" with a few of his players to support the Lady Vols.

February 27, 2007: Pat Summitt Returns the Favor

On February 27, 2007, Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt reciprocated Bruce Pearl's support on Senior Night for the men's team by appearing as a cheerleader and leading the crowd in a rendition of Rocky Top.

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.

February 23, 2008: Tennessee Defeats Memphis

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

March 5, 2008: Tennessee Claims SEC Championship

On March 5, 2008, Bruce Pearl's team defeated the Florida Gators 89–86, securing Tennessee's first outright SEC Regular Season Championship in 41 years.

March 16, 2008: Tennessee in NCAA Tournament

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

December 3, 2008: Pearl Wins 400th Game

On December 3, 2008, Bruce Pearl won his 400th game by defeating UNC-Asheville, becoming the 6th-fastest basketball coach to reach the milestone. Tyler Smith also recorded the school's first ever triple-double.

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

On November 17, 2009, Bruce Pearl secured his 100th victory at Tennessee, being the second fastest UT coach to reach the century mark, as his team defeated UNC-Asheville 124–49. The 124 points were the most ever scored by Tennessee in a regular season game. Tennessee's 34 assists also set a school record and its 16 3-pointers tied another.

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.

January 10, 2010: Tennessee Defeats #1 Kansas

On January 10, 2010, Tennessee defeated the #1 ranked Kansas Jayhawks with a score of 74-68 in Knoxville. This marked the first time Tennessee had ever defeated a #1 ranked team at Thompson-Boling Arena.

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.

September 4, 2010: Recruiting Restrictions Imposed

On September 4, 2010, Bruce Pearl's off-campus recruiting was restricted completely as a result of sanctions imposed by Tennessee due to NCAA violations.

September 10, 2010: Pearl Acknowledges NCAA Violations

On September 10, 2010, Bruce Pearl acknowledged violations in the Aaron Craft affair and admitted to lying to the NCAA. Tennessee imposed sanctions on Pearl and his staff, including a $1.5 million salary reduction over 5 years and a delayed retention bonus. His off-campus recruiting was restricted completely from September 4, 2010, to September 23, 2011.

November 20, 2010: SEC Suspends Bruce Pearl

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

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 23, 2011: Pearl Receives Show-Cause Penalty

On August 23, 2011, Bruce Pearl was given a three-year show-cause penalty for lying to the NCAA, effective until August 23, 2014. This penalty prohibited him from engaging in any recruiting activities.

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.

September 23, 2011: End of Recruiting Restrictions

On September 23, 2011, the off-campus recruiting restrictions ended for Bruce Pearl after sanctions imposed by Tennessee due to NCAA violations.

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

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

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.

2016: Vacated Wins

As part of the sanctions from the NCAA, Auburn vacated 12 wins (including seven SEC wins) achieved during the 2016–17 season due to former assistant coach Chuck Person's involvement in the 2017-18 corruption scandal.

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.

2020: NCAA Tournament Cancellation

The 2020 NCAA tournament was cancelled due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. Auburn was 2nd in the SEC and a lock to make the Tournament.

December 2021: Auburn Placed on Probation

In December 2021, the Auburn Tigers were placed on four years' probation for violations involving failure to monitor his assistant coaches while not promoting an atmosphere of compliance. Pearl was suspended for two games as well. This was Pearl's second NCAA sanctioning in less than a decade, the first one coming in 2011 while at the University of Tennessee.

2021: Postseason Ineligible

Due to former assistant coach Chuck Person's involvement in the 2017-18 corruption scandal, Auburn was ineligible for postseason play in 2021.

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).

January 7, 2025: Pearl Surpasses Joel Eaves

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

2025: Co-AP Coach of the Year

Bruce Pearl was named Co-AP Coach of the year in 2025 alongside Rick Pitino.

2030: Contract End Date

Bruce Pearl's eight-year contract extension signed in 2022 with Auburn keeps him at Auburn until 2030 at a $5.4 million base salary that increases by $250,000 each year.