Bruce Pearl is definitely one of the top coaches in the game right now. His stays in Milwaukee, in southern Indiana, and Tennessee were just amazing.
With Milwaukee, he played two tournaments in four years. With the Volunteers, he would compete in the tournament for the six years he was head coach.
Even during his time at Auburn for the past eight years, he has found great success on several occasions. During the 2018-19 season, Pearl led the Tigers to their first-ever Final Four appearance. Pearl’s history as a head coach shows the Tigers could head in that direction this season as well.
Since beginning his Division 1 head coaching career in 2001, he has reached the Sweet 16 or better a total of four times. This means that four of the seventeen years his team has achieved a historic course.
Jeffrey Phelps/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
He turned sixteen with Milwaukee in 2004. At Tennessee, he led his team to two Sweet 16 appearances plus an eight-elite appearance as well.
As I mentioned earlier, he then led the Tigers to the last four in 2018. Few coaches can say they’ve done that. The Boston native facilitated a winning foundation on the Plains and his playoff experience certainly sets the Tigers up for success in March.
The unprecedented success at Auburn this season only shows what Pearl can do with any talent he has on the court.
Auburn will start the tournament this Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as the number two seed.
Brackets: Complete our NCAA Tournament Bracket here!
The Tigers will face the No. 15 Jacksonville State Gamecocks. The tip is set at 11:45 a.m. CST on Tru TV.
Pearl and his players will be looking to bounce back from a devastating loss to the Aggies in the first round of the SEC Tournament. More importantly, Pearl will look to solidify himself as one of the best coaches in the playoffs and the regular season if the Tigers are successful.
Bruce Pearl’s Story:
| Team | Year | Record | Remarks |
| Milwaukee | 2002-03 | 24-8 | 64th final |
| Milwaukee | 2004-05 | 26-6 | Sweet 16 |
| Tennessee | 2005-06 | 22-8 | round of 16 |
| Tennessee | 2006-07 | 24-11 | Sweet 16 |
| Tennessee | 2007-08 | 31-5 | Sweet 16 |
| Tennessee | 2008-09 | 21-13 | 64th final |
| Tennessee | 2009-10 | 28-9 | Elite Eight |
| Tennessee | 2010-11 | 19-15 | 64th final |
| Auburn | 2017-18 | 26-8 | round of 16 |
| Auburn | 2018-19 | 30-10 | Final square |
| Auburn | 2019-20 | 25-6 | Tournament canceled |
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