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11 Things to Know About Bruce Pearl Retiring — What Happened at Auburn, Who’s Next, and the Senate Rumors Explained

Pancham Prasad
Bruce Pearl Retiring

Bruce Pearl Retiring

Bruce Pearl Retiring: Auburn basketball shocked the college hoops world in late September 2025 when longtime head coach Bruce Pearl announced his retirement and handed the program to his son, Steven (Steve) Pearl. The announcement sparked immediate questions: Why now after a Final Four season? Is Bruce heading into politics (Senate rumors)? How old is he, and what will Steven’s promotion mean for Auburn? This in-depth, reader-friendly guide explains the timeline, context, and practical implications — and links only to verified, authoritative sources (links are at the end).

Bruce Pearl Retiring — The short take (quick facts)

1) What exactly happened and when?

On September 22–23, 2025, Auburn University and major news outlets reported that Bruce Pearl would step down as head coach after 11 seasons on The Plains and more than three decades in college coaching. Auburn’s official athletic site posted the announcement and described Pearl’s transition into a role as a special assistant/ambassador to the athletics director. Multiple major outlets — Reuters, the Associated Press, ESPN and others — confirmed the retirement and that Steven Pearl would take over as head coach.

2) Who is Bruce Pearl (short bio and why his retirement matters)

Bruce Pearl (born March 18, 1960) is one of college basketball’s most recognizable coaches. He resurrected programs at Milwaukee, Tennessee and Auburn, guided the Tigers to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and two Final Fours (including the 2025 Final Four), and became Auburn’s winningest coach. Pearl’s career has included high points (conference titles, coach-of-the-year honors) and controversies (NCAA issues earlier in his career), but his on-court results and program-building at Auburn are widely credited with elevating the program’s national profile. His departure therefore marks a major shift for Auburn and the SEC landscape.

3) Bruce Pearl’s age and career totals

At age 65, Pearl finishes his Auburn tenure with an impressive body of work: hundreds of career Division I wins, multiple NCAA tournament appearances and two Final Four trips (including 2019 and 2025). Career totals and coaching history are summarized in public bios and reliable sports databases. Those interested in the granular totals (wins/losses by school and season) should consult the Auburn athletic site and major sports databases for the official stat lines.

4) Who is Steven (Steve) Pearl — the son who’s taking over?

Steven Pearl (born 1987) is Bruce Pearl’s son and has been on his father’s Auburn staff for more than a decade. A former player for his father at Tennessee (2007–2011), Steven worked in various support and on-court roles at Auburn before being promoted to associate head coach in 2023. University announcements and staff bios note Steven’s promotion to head coach under a multi-year deal intended to preserve continuity in Auburn’s systems and recruiting.

5) How the transition will likely affect Auburn basketball (short-term outlook)

6) The politics question: Is Bruce Pearl running for Senate?

For months there had been media and social chatter linking Bruce Pearl to possible political ambitions — specifically Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat (candidate field for 2026). Outlets asked and Bruce publicly addressed those rumors; as of the retirement announcement, multiple reports say he is not entering the Senate race. Local political outlets reported sources close to Pearl confirming that he is not running for the 2026 seat. While a post-coaching political career is always possible for a high-profile public figure, there’s no confirmed campaign at this time.

7) Why step down now — plausible reasons (analysis)

A retirement announcement coming right after a program-best season raises natural questions. Public statements cited a desire to remain connected to Auburn while stepping away from the daily grind — changing roles to an ambassador/special assistant to the AD. Analysts note several reasonable explanations that often motivate such moves:

8) How the media covered the announcement (select reputable coverage)

Major wire services and sports outlets published coordinated coverage within hours of Auburn’s release:

9) Frequently asked questions (fast answers)

Q: Did Bruce Pearl get fired?
A: No. The announcement frames this as a retirement/transition and voluntary move into an ambassadorial role.

Q: Is Steven Pearl qualified?
A: Steven has long experience on Auburn staff and played Division I under his father; Auburn’s administration endorsed the succession and signed him to a multi-year deal.

Q: Is Bruce Pearl running for U.S. Senate?
A: Sources say that he is not entering the 2026 Senate race at this time.

10) Responsible notes for fans, recruits and players

11) Final take — legacy, continuity, and what to watch next

Bruce Pearl’s stepping down is an emotional and strategic moment for Auburn basketball: he departs after elevating the program to unprecedented heights and hands the reins to a son who has been immersed in the program for years. In the short term, expect Auburn to emphasize continuity and stability — but college basketball moves fast, and the next few months (roster decisions, recruiting cycles, and early-season results) will show whether the Pearl era’s momentum endures under new leadership. Media and fans should also watch whether Bruce chooses to pursue public-facing roles (speaking, media, or politics) down the road.

Disclaimer

This article is informational and based on reporting from verified news organizations and Auburn University’s official announcements. It does not provide legal, financial, or professional advice. For official team statements, roster and eligibility questions, contact Auburn University Athletics directly. Images used in this article are royalty‑free or licensed for commercial use and are provided here for illustrative purposes.

Verified sources & working links

(The following links were verified available on September 23, 2025. These are the primary sources used in this article.)

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