Bruce Pearl Receives Contract Extension

Bruce Pearl
Auburn men’s basketball vs College of Charleston after the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday, March 16, 2018, in San Diego, Calif.
Photo by Wade Rackley/Auburn Athletics

After leading Auburn Men’s Basketball to a regular season conference title, and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2003, Head Coach Bruce Pearl received a contract extension through the 2022-2023 season, as reported by Auburn Athletics

Monday, June 4, 2018, will go down as one of the more eventful days in Auburn athletics this year.

Auburn Baseball’s Casey Mize was selected first overall by the Detroit Tigers in the 2018 MLB Draft, the first player in program history to be taken first overall; The report from Brandon Marcello of AuburnUndercover.com that six administrators in the athletic department had been fired; and that Bruce Pearl had received a contract extension that will keep him on the Plains for the next five seasons.

Auburn Basketball is coming off one of the more magical seasons of recent history. The Tigers finished 26-8, with a 13-5 SEC mark, giving them their first regular season conference crown since 1999. Auburn also made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2003. On Monday, the athletic department announced that an extension was given to Auburn’s leading man.

New Director of Athletics Allen Greene cited that the success of the program on the court, as well as in the classroom, led the athletic department to the extension.

“Over the past five years, the Auburn men’s basketball program has produced the highest NCAA academic progress rate (APR) in program history while leading the SEC with 18 graduates and three seasons of perfect APR scores,” says Greene.

Pearl is excited about the chance to continue his mission of bringing excitement to the basketball program.

“We came here to work hard, make a positive difference on the campus and in the community and bring credibility and championships back to Auburn basketball. I’m grateful to President Dr. Steven Leath and Director of Athletics Allen Greene for their commitment and support. My family is blessed to be a part of the Auburn Family.”

Auburn Men’s Basketball heads into the 2018-19 season with high expectations following the NCAA Tournament, and the announcement of Austin Wiley, Jared Harper, and Bryce Brown returning after testing the NBA Draft waters. In four years since taking over the Men’s Basketball program, Pearl is 70-62.