Bruce Pearl's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

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

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.

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: 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 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.

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.

2008: Awarded the Adolph Rupp Cup

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

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.

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.

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 Named Influential Person

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

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.