Bruce Pearl, Auburn basketball's most successful coach and the second-fastest NCAA coach to reach 300 wins, is set to appear on TNT's Selection Sunday show. Known for his bold opinions, Pearl recently stirred the pot by critiquing Miami (Ohio), suggesting they weren't among the top 68 teams deserving a March Madness spot. This sparked a wave of backlash from Miami's fans.
After stepping down as Auburn's head coach just before the 2025-2026 season, Pearl transitioned into broadcasting with TNT while still advising Auburn's basketball program. His presence on the Selection Sunday show is a testament to his ongoing influence in college basketball.
Selection Sunday Lineup
This year, CBS and TNT are teaming up for the Selection Sunday show. The lineup includes Adam Zucker, Clark Kellogg, Bruce Pearl, and Seth Davis on CBS, while Adam Lefkoe, Jamal Mashburn, Jalen Rose, and Seth Davis will join Pearl in Atlanta for TNT's coverage.
Why Pearl's on the Show
Pearl's role with TNT's college basketball coverage makes his inclusion on the Selection Sunday show a natural fit. Despite some social media backlash over his outspoken nature and ties to Auburn, TNT continues to back Pearl. Fans are curious to see if he'll address Auburn's likely absence from the tournament after their recent SEC Tournament loss to Tennessee.
Pearl's Broadcasting Journey
Since retiring from coaching, Pearl has become a familiar face on TNT and CBS's college basketball broadcasts. He's provided courtside commentary and sat at the desk for March Madness coverage. This year, his appearance on the Selection Sunday show has been met with mixed reactions, largely due to his frequent Auburn mentions and past comments about Miami (Ohio).
Pearl's Retirement
Pearl announced his retirement as Auburn's head coach on September 22, 2025, after 11 successful years, including two Final Four appearances in 2019 and 2025. He left as Auburn's winningest coach, transitioning to an advisory role while his son, Steven, took over as head coach. Today, he continues to share his insights as a broadcaster with TNT.