Bruce Pearl's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Bruce Pearl.

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

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.

2006: Sporting News Coach of the Year

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

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.

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.

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.

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).