Pearl is the only head coach (football or men’s basketball) in SEC history to lead two programs to a No. 1 national ranking (Auburn in 2022 and Tennessee in 2008) and has won the sixth-most SEC Men’s Basketball Championships (4) in conference history and ranks among the Top 5 all-time SEC coaches in overall victories (345).

Since he arrived at Auburn for the 2014-15 season, Pearl has produced one of the biggest turnarounds in the college basketball landscape.  His teams have been just as successful off the court as Auburn has had 40 graduates since 2014 – the most in the SEC.

In 29 seasons as a head coach, he has guided his teams to the NCAA Tournament 22 times (would have been 23 if not for the cancelation of 2020 season) and a 662-264 (.715) winning record.

An ambassador for the university, Pearl’s selfless community service work and generous stewardship makes him one of the most influential public figures in the state of Alabama.

He and his wife, Brandy, remain committed to giving back to those in Alabama, raising over 2.5 million dollars in support of Children’s Harbor and other children’s charities.

Since 2016, Coach Pearl has raised over $1 M through his AUTLIVE Cancer Game. The Mike Slive Foundation has partnered with Pearl and AUTLIVE for six years, providing free PSA blood test screening for men over 40 at the AUTLIVE game.

Pearl realized a lifelong dream in the summer of 2008 when his country called upon him to serve as head coach of Maccabi USA’s open men’s basketball team at the 18th World Maccabiah Games in Israel. He led the American squad to the gold medal for just the third time in 24 years, toppling favored Israel in the title game.

Pearl also serves as Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Israel Education Association (USIEA) – an organization dedicated to educating and serving government leaders who are directly involved in advancing important dialogue between the United States and Israel.

A native of Boston, Mass., Pearl received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Boston College in 1982, graduating cum laude. He has two daughters: Jacqui and Leah, two sons: Steven and Michael, and three grandchildren: Chaya, Jaden and Noa Rose.

Pearl is married to the former Brandy Miller of Sevierville, Tenn.