What Happened to Auburn Tigers Men's Basketball?
Auburn Tigers Men's Basketball has experienced a resurgence in recent years, marked by multiple SEC championships and two NCAA Final Four appearances under former head coach Bruce Pearl. Following Pearl's unexpected retirement in September 2025, his son Steven Pearl took over the program, leading the team into the 2025-2026 season.
Quick Answer
Auburn Tigers Men's Basketball has been a prominent force in college basketball, reaching the NCAA Final Four in both 2019 and 2025, and securing SEC regular season and tournament titles. Head coach Bruce Pearl, who revitalized the program, retired unexpectedly in September 2025, with his son Steven Pearl stepping in as the new head coach. As of March 12, 2026, the team concluded its 2025-2026 regular season with a 17-15 record and is competing in the SEC Tournament, having won their first-round game against Mississippi State.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Bruce Pearl Signs Major Contract Extension
Head coach Bruce Pearl signed an eight-year, $50.2 million contract extension, solidifying his commitment to Auburn through the 2030 season.
Wins 2024 SEC Tournament Championship
Auburn defeated Florida 86-67 to claim their third SEC Tournament championship in program history, finishing the season with a 27-8 record.
Upset Loss in NCAA Tournament First Round
As a No. 4 seed, Auburn suffered an upset loss to No. 13 seed Yale (78-76) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Bruce Pearl Becomes All-Time Winningest Coach
Bruce Pearl won his 214th game for Auburn at Texas, surpassing Joel Eaves to become the program's all-time winningest coach.
Clinches 2025 SEC Regular Season Championship
Auburn defeated Kentucky 94-78 to clinch the SEC regular season title, their first since 2022, finishing with a 15-3 conference record.
Johni Broome Named SEC Player of the Year
Auburn's Johni Broome was named SEC Player of the Year for his outstanding performance during the 2024-2025 season.
Reaches Second NCAA Final Four
Auburn defeated Michigan State 70-64 in the Elite Eight to advance to their second NCAA Final Four in program history.
Falls in National Semifinal to Florida
Auburn's Final Four run ended with a 79-73 loss to SEC rival and eventual national champion Florida in the national semifinals.
Bruce Pearl Retires, Steven Pearl Named Head Coach
In a surprise announcement, Bruce Pearl retired as head coach after 11 seasons, and his son, assistant coach Steven Pearl, was immediately named his successor.
Concludes 2025-2026 Regular Season
Auburn concluded its 2025-2026 regular season with a 96-84 loss at No. 16 Alabama, finishing with a 17-15 overall record and 7-11 in SEC play.
Keyshawn Hall Named Third Team All-SEC
Auburn's Keyshawn Hall was named to the Third Team All-SEC for his performance during the 2025-2026 season.
Advances in SEC Tournament
Auburn defeated Mississippi State in the first round of the 2026 SEC Tournament, advancing to face No. 25 Tennessee in the second round.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Auburn Tigers Men's Basketball program has undergone a significant transformation, particularly under the leadership of head coach Bruce Pearl, who was appointed on March 18, 2014. Pearl's tenure brought unprecedented success, including leading Auburn to its first-ever Final Four appearance in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. This historic run saw the Tigers defeat powerhouses like Kansas, North Carolina, and Kentucky before a narrow loss to Virginia in the national semifinals.
The program continued its upward trajectory, securing an eight-year, $50.2 million contract extension for Pearl in January 2022, signaling a long-term commitment to his vision. The 2023-2024 season saw Auburn finish with a 27-8 record, winning the SEC Tournament championship by defeating Florida 86-67, their third tournament title in program history. However, their NCAA Tournament journey ended prematurely with an upset loss to Yale in the first round as a No. 4 seed.
The 2024-2025 season proved to be another landmark year. Auburn, under Bruce Pearl, clinched the SEC regular season championship with a 15-3 conference record and an impressive 32-6 overall record, earning the No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. During this season, Pearl also surpassed Joel Eaves for the most wins in school history. The Tigers made their second Final Four appearance, defeating Alabama State, Creighton, Michigan, and Michigan State before falling to eventual national champion Florida in the semifinals. Johni Broome was named SEC Player of the Year for his outstanding performance.
A significant turning point occurred on September 23, 2025, when Bruce Pearl announced his immediate retirement after 11 years at the helm. In a surprise move, his son, Steven Pearl, who had served as an assistant coach, was named the new head coach. This transition marked the beginning of a new era for the program.
The 2025-2026 season, Steven Pearl's first as head coach, saw the Auburn Tigers navigate a challenging SEC schedule. As of March 11, 2026, the team finished the regular season with a 17-15 overall record and a 7-11 record in SEC play, securing the No. 12 seed in the SEC Tournament. Keyshawn Hall was recognized for his performance, being named Third Team All-SEC on March 9, 2026. On March 12, 2026, Auburn defeated Mississippi State in the first round of the SEC Tournament, advancing to face Tennessee.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Auburn Tigers Men's Basketball made different choices?