Bruce Pearl joins a growing list of high-profile men's college basketball head coaches to retire in recent years, announcing his decision to leave Auburn Monday -- 42 days before the 2025-26 season is set to tip off.
"I've been a part of college basketball for almost 50 years, and the truth is, it's time," Pearl said tearfully in a video announcing his retirement. "I told myself when I got to the point where I could not give it my all, or I wasn't necessarily 100%, or I couldn't be the relentless competitor that [Auburn fans] expected of me, that it was going to be time.