NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
It didn’t take long for Bruce Pearl to find his next gig.
The longtime men’s basketball coach stepped down from his role at Auburn University last month, handing the reins to his son while becoming an ambassador for the program.
CBS announced Thursday that Pearl will join the network as a college basketball analyst.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Former Auburn Tigers men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl walks the court before a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)
The move comes about a month after ESPN host Michael Wilbon said he “hopes[d] there was pressure to just get [Pearl] out” of Auburn because “he had become a divisive person.” Pearl has been outspoken on politics, particularly on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
In an appearance with Will Cain earlier this month, Pearl responded to Wilbon, who he said he “loves,” adding that a “dear friend” of Wilbon’s reached out and said Wilbon’s sentiments were “probably political” and “not anti-Semitic.”
Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl during the second half of the 2025 NCAA Tournament South Regional final against the Michigan State Spartans at State Farm Arena March 30, 2025. (Dale Zanine/Imagn Images)
EX-UPENN SWIMMER LIA THOMAS RECEIVES ‘VOICE OF INSPIRATION’ AWARD AT DODGERS-SPONSORED EVENT
“I was stuck on ‘Pardon the Interruption.’ And I love Tony [Kornheiser] and Mike and have had good relations with them. … If there’s one thing I’m not, it’s divisive. I’ve been trying to bring people together all my life. Maybe that’s an example of why we can’t agree to disagree about saying things politically,” Pearl said.
“I wasn’t forced out. I love Auburn. I love the opportunity now to be able to do some things for faith and family and our country, to be an advocate for Israel, an advocate for education. I look forward to being able to do those things while my son wins basketball games.”
Pearl will be part of CBS Sports and TNT Sports’ joint coverage of the NCAA Tournament, calling some games and providing studio coverage.
Head coach Bruce Pearl of the Auburn Tigers during a game against the Texas A&M Aggies. (Michael Chang/Getty Images)
Pearl was one of the most successful men’s basketball coaches in college. He was 246-125 as the Tigers’ head coach and led the team to two Final Four appearances.
