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It didn’t take long for Bruce Pearl to find his next position.
The longtime men’s basketball coach stepped down from his position at Auburn University last month, passing the reins to his son while becoming an ambassador for the program.
CBS announced Thursday that Pearl would join the network as a college basketball analyst.
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Former Auburn Tigers men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl walks on 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 get [Pearl] ” from Auburn because “he had become a divisive person.” Pearl was outspoken on politics, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
During an appearance with Will Cain earlier this month, Pearl responded to Wilbon, whom he said he “loves,” adding that a “dear friend” of Wilbon’s contacted him and said Wilbon’s feelings 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 on March 30, 2025. (Dale Zanine/Imagn Images)
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“I was a regular on ‘Pardon the Interruption.’ And I love Tony [Kornheiser] and Mike and I had great relationships with them. … If there’s anything I’m not, it’s divisive. I’ve been trying to bring people together my whole life. Maybe this is an example of why we can’t agree to disagree on political things,” Pearl said.
“I wasn’t forced to leave. I love Auburn. I love the opportunity now to be able to do certain 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 NCAA Tournament coverage, calling select games and providing in-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 university’s most successful men’s basketball coaches. He was 246-125 as head coach of the Tigers and led the team to two Final Four appearances.
