Bruce Pearl often attributes much of the continued success of his Auburn program to a strong and consistent assistant coaching staff – not the least of which is the son.
Steven Pearlwho just completed his fifth season as Tigers assistant coach, was named one of college basketball’s 50 most influential major assistants by Silver Waves, which annually highlights the nation’s top assistants at both high and medium. – major levels.
“Pearl had a massive influence on the Tigers’ monumental rebuild,” the statement read. “On the bench, Pearl is responsible for scouting, defensive strategies and in-game adjustments. Off the court, Pearl has had a huge influence on player development and recruitment. In recent years, the basketball program of the Auburn Tigers has established itself as an NBA lead producer and standard bearer. Auburn has become one of four major programs to record three consecutive 25-win seasons, joining Duke, Kansas and Kentucky. Pearl was a major contributor developing NBA prospects. Jabari Smith, Walker Kesler, Sharif Cooper, isaac okoro, J.T. Thorand Chuma Okeke.
“…Auburn also won the SEC Tournament in 2019 and the SEC Regular Season title in 2018 and 22. Pearl won a four-year letter under his father in Tennessee. He helped the Vols to compete in. SEC Eastern Championships in 2008 and 2009.”
Steven joined the Auburn staff when Bruce was hired, initially contributing in a support role, as operations manager and assistant strength coach. He became one of his father’s three assistant coaches ahead of the 2017-18 season – where Auburn won its first SEC championship in 19 years and entered the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 15 years. Steven has participated in three SEC championships and six NCAA tournament wins, including the program’s first-ever Final Four appearance in 2019.
A rookie in 2006, Steven played 101 games at Tennessee while Bruce was the head coach.
Last season, Steven picked up the first head coaching win of his career. Bruce served a two-game suspension as part of NCAA penalties to the program in December. Assistant Wes Flanigan coached the first of two games — a win over Nebraska at a neutral site in Atlanta — and Steven capped things off with a 70-44 home win over UNA.
“We have the best staff in the country,” Steven said after the win. “We knew what we had to do. We took it head on and leaned on each other.”
According to Auburn Media Relations, this is the fourth time in Division I college basketball that a son has taken on coaching duties in a game for his father in a season (Bob and Pat Knight at Indiana for 11 games; Eddie and Sean Suton at Oklahoma State for nine games; and Charlie and Jay Spoonhour at UNLV for 10 games).
Next year, Auburn will have the same core of coaches on the bench – assistants Pearl, Flanigan and Ira Bowmanplus supporting staff members Chad Prewett, Marquis Daniels and Mike Burgomaster – for the fourth season in a row.
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