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 heading the Auburn Tigers, where he holds the record for most wins. Prior to Auburn, he coached at Tennessee, Milwaukee, and Southern Indiana. His coaching career highlights include leading Southern Indiana to a Division II national championship in 1995, earning him the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II Coach of the Year award.

Sections (5)

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

January 2, 1966: Start of Tennessee's Previous Home Win Streak

January 2, 1966, marks the start of Tennessee's previous home win streak, which lasted until February 24, 1968.

February 24, 1968: End of Tennessee's Previous Home Win Streak

February 24, 1968, marks the end of Tennessee's previous home win streak, which started on January 2, 1966.

1992: Head Coach at Southern Indiana

In 1992, Bruce Pearl became the head coach at Southern Indiana (USI), inheriting a team that had won just 10 games the previous season. He quickly turned the program around, posting a 22–7 record in his first season and leading the Eagles to 9 consecutive NCAA D-II tournaments.

1995: Southern Indiana 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: USI Wins D-II Championship

In 1995, Bruce Pearl's USI team won 29 games and claimed the D–II championship, led by National Player of the Year Stan Gouard. Pearl was named the NABC Division II coach of the year.

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, Bruce Pearl led Milwaukee to its best season in school history. The Panthers won both the regular season and conference tournament titles, defeating the Detroit Titans in the championship game. They advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament before losing to Illinois.

2006: Coach of the Year by Sporting News

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 Vols into in-state, undefeated rival Memphis to play the # 1 ranked Tigers. Tennessee defeated Memphis 66–62, handing Memphis its first loss of the season and its first home loss in 47 games.

March 5, 2008: 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.

December 3, 2008: 400th Career Win

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

2008: Awarded the Adolph Rupp Cup

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

November 17, 2009: 100th Win at Tennessee

On November 17, 2009, Bruce Pearl recorded his 100th win at Tennessee, defeating UNC-Asheville 124–49. The 124-point total set a record for the most points scored by Tennessee in a regular season game.

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: Defeat of #1 Ranked Kansas

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

February 27, 2010: Tennessee Defeats Kentucky

On February 27, 2010, Bruce Pearl's Tennessee Volunteers defeated the #2 ranked Kentucky Wildcats in Knoxville with a score of 74-65, securing their 5th straight NCAA tournament appearance under his coaching.

March 26, 2010: Tennessee Advances to Elite 8

On March 26, 2010, Bruce Pearl's Tennessee Volunteers advanced to their first Elite 8 in school history, defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes with a score of 76-73.

November 14, 2014: Pearl's First Win as Auburn Coach

On November 14, 2014, Bruce Pearl won his first game as Auburn's head coach, defeating 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, marking a significant achievement for the program.

2016: Auburn Ends Losing Streak to Kentucky

In 2016, Bruce Pearl led Auburn to end an 18-game losing streak to Kentucky, marking a significant victory for the program.

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 with a score of 78–74.

2017: Best Record Since 1999

In 2017, Bruce Pearl led the Auburn team to their best record since 1999 while winning the SEC regular season championship.

2019: Auburn Wins SEC Tournament and Reaches Final Four

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

2022: Historic Season and NBA Draft Success

In 2022, Bruce Pearl led Auburn to its first-ever #1 ranking in the AP Poll and the SEC regular season championship. Jabari Smith Jr. became the highest NBA draft pick in program history, and Walker Kessler was also selected in the first round.

2022: Only Head Coach in NCAA Tournament Without High School Basketball Experience

In 2022, Bruce Pearl was noted as being the only head coach in the NCAA tournament who never played high school basketball.

2022: Recognition by The Algemeiner

In 2022, The Algemeiner named Bruce Pearl one of 100 people positively influencing Jewish life.

2024: Auburn's Dominant Season and Final Four Run

In the 2024 season, Bruce Pearl led Auburn to significant success, securing the #1 ranking in the AP poll for 8 weeks and reaching the Final Four after a successful NCAA Tournament run.