Bruce Pearl may not coach college basketball this season, but he won’t leave the game entirely. Pearl has agreed to join TNT’s new college-basketball show for the upcoming season, according to multiple reports.
Warner Bros. Discovery and Pearl confirmed the news in a statement.
“I’ve long admired and deeply respected the way TNT Sports delivers the best studio shows in the industry, along with the way they treat everyone as family, and I could not be more excited to join the amazing team they’ve assembled to cover college basketball,” said Pearl. “The product has never been in better shape on the court and I’m going to bring the same passion I displayed as a coach to broadcasting. I can’t wait for the start of the season.”
Pearl, 65, will join Jalen Rose, Jamal Mashburn and Adam Lefkoe as part of a new program on TNT. The show — which does not have a name yet — will focus on the Big East and Big 12. In addition to breaking down games from those conferences, the broadcast team is also expected to provide coverage of the men’s NCAA Tournament.
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Pearl has experience as a broadcaster. During his NCAA suspension due to violations at Tennessee, Pearl joined ESPN to break down the college game. He eventually left the network to join Auburn in 2014.
Following a highly successful run at Auburn, Pearl surprisingly announced his retirement in September. An emotional Pearl revealed his decision in a video, in which he said it was time for him to “step aside.” Auburn will be coached by Pearl’s son Steven this season.
Bruce is considered among the most successful college basketball coaches in recent memory. After leading Milwaukee to the NCAA Tournament in two of four seasons, Pearl joined Tennessee, where he went on to lead the team to six straight tourney appearances.
He was eventually fired from Tennessee after violating NCAA rules. Bruce spent multiple seasons out of coaching before eventually being hired by Auburn. He spent 11 seasons at the school, leading the team to the NCAA Tournament six times.
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Despite his success, Pearl never won an NCAA Tournament. He came close twice, leading Auburn to the Final Four two times.
