It is no secret time is ticking for Bruce Pearl as Auburn's head basketball coach. Pearl is in his 10th season and in the midst of another successful year. Pearl resurrected an Auburn program when he took over 10 years ago and has taken it to heights many fans never believed they would see.
Pearl, however, is now 63 years old, and with the current environment surrounding collegiate athletics, how many years he wants to continue to coach is unknown. His current contract will expire in 2030 and it's hard to see him coaching past that point. So, when the inevitable day does come where should Auburn turn?
I have a simple answer - Steven Pearl. Steven, the son of Bruce Pearl, has been an assistant for all 10 years of Bruce's tenure at Auburn. He's held various coaching roles during his time under his father and is now the Associate Head Coach.
“Steven has been an integral part of the success that we’ve had at Auburn from the beginning,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said. “Many people may forget that he started as an assistant strength coach and worked his way up through our program."
The best part of having Steven Pearl follow his father is that the university does not have to wait to make it official. Auburn could announce Steven Pearl today as the next head basketball coach at Auburn when Bruce Pearl retires. The precedent has already been set. This past summer, the University of Houston named Kellen Sampson, the son of Kelvin Sampson the current Houston head coach as their head coach in waiting. There is no reason Auburn could not do the same.
Some might argue it would be nepotism and a poor choice to make this move, but Steven Pearl has more than proven his worth. There is no better candidate to follow Bruce Pearl than Steven Pearl for various reasons.
First, if Steven Pearl follows his father as head coach, the culture established over Bruce Pearl's tenure would remain. Auburn's program has a culture second to none in college basketball. It is one of high expectations met with a high level of play that leads to championships. Steven Pearl has been around for it all and would continue to build on the culture that is already established.
Along with culture, there would also be continuity in the style of play. Having played and coached under his father, Steven would surely have Auburn continue the same style of play as head coach himself. Watching Auburn basketball is an exhilarating experience thanks to their tough defense, ability to force turnovers, ability to score in transition, and shoot threes. That would only continue under Steven Pearl.
Steven Pearl is an excellent coach. Over the last two seasons, he has been honored as one of the top 50 college basketball assistants in the country according to Silver Waves Media. He plays a pivotal role in scouting and preparing Auburn to face its opponents and does a great job.
"His ability to communicate and teach our system to our players is second to none," Bruce Pearl said. "He is truly one of the best assistant coaches in the country.”
Of course, there's more to college basketball than just coaching, however. Bruce Pearl understands this and is one of the best recruiters in the sport. Could Steven recruit on the same level? It will be difficult for Steven Pearl to match what his father has done on the recruiting trail, but history tells us he has a chance.
Steven Pearl's focus in recruiting for Auburn is the transfer portal and he has helped Auburn land major contributors over the last few seasons. He was the lead recruiter in landing Walker Kessler and Wendell Green Jr. three years ago. He helped land Johni Broome two years ago, and he helped land Denver Jones this past off-season. That is a pretty strong resume.
Continuity is so hard to establish in college sports. When you have the chance to establish it, why pass up the opportunity? Make the move Auburn. Announce Steven Pearl as head coach in waiting and declare Auburn basketball is not going anywhere anytime soon.
