Genius Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl , has officially retired and this will see the end of a transformational period in the history of the Tigers. Ed. 64, published his choice in a press conference earlier today, saying he needed more time with his family and wanted to leave the daily life of being a coach.
In 2014, Pearl acquired the Auburn program and made it a nationwide competitor. During his time, the Tigers became a regular participant in the NCAA tournament, a first-time Final Four, and multiple SEC titles, and the first-ever Final Four in 2019.
The personage of his intensely competitive sideline and his tireless recruiting are the main reasons why Auburn is now among the best teams in one of the most hostile conferences in college basketball.
The school is yet to appoint an interim or permanent replacement but athletic director, John Cohen, indicated that he was going to initiate a national search. Pearl will also be reportedly following the transition in an advisory capacity as far as the program is concerned.
The Full Retirement Statement by Bruce Pearl.
By the announcement of Auburn and his video message he said:
Eleven years later, I got the chance of a lifetime to be the head basketball coach of Auburn and it has been an amazing experience. Our program we have developed is built to the ground up and has been brought to heights that it has never been before and this has only been possible with the support of the Auburn Family.
We have not only won championships, we have also created the best home court advantage in college basketball, we have invested in this community and transformed lives, and we have developed and graduated Auburn men. We developed a program that of which the three populp tenets faith, family and passion were the core tenants and we made history together. I trust we have brought down Auburn.
I have nearly 50 years at it, and frankly speaking, it is as difficult as I can say this, but I have learned that it is time to retire. It has been my privilege in life to serve as the head coach of Auburn.
… I simply cannot perform at 100 per cent. and the time has come to leave the torch.I have come to the point of realization as difficult as it is to say so. But now it is time to me retreat. Auburn family, I love you. We truly love you. But you see I want you to know it’s time.
He also appreciated the players, staff, university leadership, administrators and Auburn community.
Fans & Players
- Numerous Auburn supporters showed their overwhelming obligations by expressing their gratitude of how Pearl turned the program back on track, made the team a national power, and provided memorable seasons.
- There is an emotional overture between existing players. Indicatively, one of the Auburn guards, Elyjah Freeman, is said to have posted his heartbreak emojis when the news was announced.
- Some of the fan posts are sad and yet appreciative as such people say the things such as you will be missed, thank you all the memories you gave, enjoy your retirement, Steven Pearl let’s ride, etc.
Media, Coaching Community and Analysts.
- The media is highlighting the scale of the achievements of Pearl: dragging the basketball program at Auburn out of mediocrity to a consistent national power (two Final Four appearances and the No. 1 overall seed the last season).
- The question raised by the analysts is whether Steven Pearl being the new head coach can continue the momentum, recruitment, retention of roster and high expectations in the SEC.
- There is also commentary with regard to timing: some saw this coming. Bruce Pearl himself had already issued some statements in public concerning his lack of expectation of fulfilling the rest of his contract, balancing life and coaching, etc.
Auburn Program Implications 2013 / Inside.
- The administration of Auburn (including AD John Cohen) has shown its commitment of faith in Steven Pearl. They point out that he has been a long-time employee of the program (assistant, associate head coach), that retaining personnel was important, and that Steven has demonstrated recruiting, defensive coaching and leadership capabilities.
- There is the understanding that the change is considerable: Steven has huge shoes to fill. Retaining star players (e.g. Tahaad Pettiford), retaining the roster, managing fan and booster expectations, and keeping Auburn at or close to the top of the conference are considered significant tasks.
Legacy of Transformation
The retirement of Bruce Pearl brings to a halt an 11 year long reign that redefined Auburn basketball. At the time he came on in 2014, the Tigers were a troubled SEC program that did not have much national exposure. During the tenure of Pearl, Auburn has won several SEC championships, developed NBA-level talent, and made the 2019 Final Four, the first in the history of the school.
He not only provided victories, but he created an atmosphere of family, passion, and insatiable energy that had energized Auburn fan base and made Neville Arena one of the most hostile and noisy home courts in the area. Auburn has its most successful men basketball coach, Pearl, and this is evidence of his talent of recruiting, motivating, and innovating.
Impact on Auburn and the SEC
The departure of Pearl is being felt throughout the Southeastern Conference. His competitiveness with teams such as Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas made the overall basketball image of the SEC to be higher.
Pearl is gone and this can be viewed as an opening that can be used by rivals in Auburn to regain ground, but the promotion of Steven Pearl is an indication that Auburn is going to remain in the fray. The recruiting streak, facilities and reputation of the Tigers manufactured during Bruce reign is a good platform on which the younger Pearl can be able to ensure that Auburn continues to stay at the elite level.
The Final Word
The retirement of Bruce Pearl is not a regular exit of a coach but it is the end of a golden era that was characterized by passion, innovation and historic success. Not only does he leave Auburn with banners and records, it is forever etched in their minds: a program that is destined to win, that runs on energy and that can play on the national stage.
The torch has now been handed over to Steven Pearl who not only takes over a team, but also a tradition of faith and perfection- a challenge and an opportunity that was created by the one man who made Auburn basketball count.
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