Steven Pearl was named the 22nd head men’s basketball coach at Auburn University on September 22, 2025, after serving 11 previous seasons on the Tigers’ staff. A central figure in the most successful era in program history, Pearl helped Auburn capture five SEC Championships in eight seasons and played a key role in two Final Four runs in 2019 and 2025. Prior to becoming head coach, he served as associate head coach and defensive coordinator, where his defensive systems consistently ranked among the nation’s elite. Auburn earned six NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure as an assistant, while also producing multiple NBA Draft selections, including first-round picks Chuma Okeke, Isaac Okoro, Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler.
Recognized as one of the 50 most impactful high-major assistant coaches in Division I basketball in consecutive years, Pearl was instrumental in roster construction and player development, particularly through transfer portal recruiting. Under his defensive leadership, Auburn posted the best four-year field goal percentage defense stretch in school history and ranked among the nation’s top defenses multiple times. A former four-year letterwinner at Tennessee (2007–11), Pearl helped the Volunteers reach three NCAA Sweet 16s and an Elite Eight while earning SEC Academic Honor Roll honors three times. He graduated with a degree in marketing and international business before beginning a professional career in medical sales, eventually returning to coaching at Auburn. He and his wife, Brittany, have one daughter, Lainey.
