Auburn Tigers coach Bruce Pearl has stepped down from his role, and established sports analyst Michael Wilbon believes there is much more to Pearl’s decision. On Monday, Sept. 22, just over a month from the commencement of the 2025-26 college basketball season, the Tigers’ social media team uploaded a lengthy video on X of coach Pearl giving his farewell letter to the program, officially retiring from his position.
In another video posted by @awfulannouncing on X/Twitter, Wilbon made a bold claim on Pearls’ retirement. The tenured reporter believes there was added pressure from the University of Auburn sports department to let go of Pearl, given that he had become more outspoken with his political views over the past couple of months.
“He’d become a divisive person, it seems to me, intentionally. And, I hope that there was pressure to just get him out. I do, I do. Used to (be a great guest), not anymore,” Wilbon said.
ESPN’s Michael Wilbon appears quite glad to see retiring Auburn coach Bruce Pearl go:
“He had become a divisive person, it seems to me, intentionally. And I hope there was pressure to just get him out.” pic.twitter.com/K1YmvScDgt
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 22, 2025
Whether or not Wilbon’s statement holds, coach Pearl did confirm in the aforementioned 14-minute video that he will not be pursuing a role or position in the US Senate, contrary to speculations on his intentions to enter politics. Instead, he confirmed in the video that he will continue to serve the Auburn basketball program and the school as an ambassador, or in his words, a senator.
Pearl’s decision comes after rumblings of his retirement came in the offseason. But with the upcoming campaign just over 40 days away, Pearl decided to pull the trigger. In his final season at the helm of the Auburn coaching staff, Pearl spearheaded the Tigers to their second NCAA Final Four appearance in this year’s NCAA tournament, finishing with an overall record of 32-6 (15-3 SEC).
Read More: “Nepotism To Its Core”: Fans React As Bruce Pearl’s Son Takes Over Auburn Coaching Job Amid Shock Retirement
Bruce Pearl’s Son, Steven, Will Serve As The Auburn Tigers’ New Head Coach
As Bruce Pearl announced his retirement from coaching the Auburn Tigers and college basketball, it was revealed that his son, Steven, will take on the reins and coach the Tigers in the 2025-26 season.
Steven Pearl has been an associate tactician for the program since 2014, when his father joined the team, and will now look to bring Auburn back to the NCAA Final Four.
Also Read: Bruce Pearl Points to Turnovers, Fatigue, and Depth as Key Factors in Loss to Florida
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