Bruce Pearl may no longer be Auburn’s coach, but on Sunday he looked every bit like the program’s most spirited supporter. Also, he was a passionate father cheering on his son during the biggest game of his young tenure.
The No. 22 Tigers fell just short in a 73-73 loss to top-ranked Houston. A matchup that showcased a rebuilt Auburn roster still searching for its identity after last season’s Final Four run. However, the nation’s runner-up got the best of the matchup for Auburn’s first loss of the season.
One of the biggest offseason departures wasn’t a player at all, but Pearl himself, who retired after a decade at Auburn to pursue other ventures. His son, Steven, now leads the Tigers with no background in coaching other than with his dad for the past nine years.
Bruce still giving em heck from the stands pic.twitter.com/UddTKwzRni
— Logan Fowler (@loganffowler) November 16, 2025
With that said, Pearl wasn’t far from the action to cheer on his son. The longtime coach was spotted courtside in Birmingham, loudly protesting calls and gesturing at officials as Auburn battled Houston. At one point, he belted out a complaint with his arm fully extended. One of the prime Pearl poses that fans instantly recognized.
The former coach’s emotional investment was unmistakable. You can remove him from the bench, but Pearl’s heart is still in the game.
Pearl also appeared to have a moment of pride watching Steven guide the Tigers against the nation’s top team. He was unmistakably Auburn’s biggest fan for the night.
