Bruce Pearl has rounded out his staff with the addition of a familiar face.
Former Auburn player Wes Flanigan (1993-97) is coming home to The Plains as an assistant coach for Auburn men's basketball, Pearl announced Monday morning.
“Auburn basketball is very fortunate to have been able to attract and welcome home a former great in three-time captain Wes Flanigan,” Pearl said. “I‘ve known Wes and admired his work for many years as a competitor. Known as a hard-working, tough-minded, passionate basketball coach and teacher, Wes will make our student-athletes better on and off the court.”
Flanigan returns to Auburn from his most recent coaching stint at Little Rock, which lasted two seasons as head coach. With the Trojans, Flanigan led the team to program records in single-season, Sun Belt Conference and road wins.
Most notably under Flanigan, Little Rock knocked off No. 5 seed Purdue in the 2015-16 NCAA Tournament after winning its conference title outright.
On March 9, Little Rock athletic director Chasse Conque relieved Flanigan of his head coaching duties, saying the school felt it needed "a change in leadership." Flanigan compiled a 22-42 record as head coach of the Trojans, including a 7-22 season in 2017-18.
Additional coaching stints for Flanigan include assistant roles for Northwest Mississippi State Community College, Nebraska, Mississippi State and UAB.
We are so blessed to have a great Auburn man and teacher come back to rejoin our family. Our Coaches, Student Athletes and University will benefit by his knowledge, character and experience! War Eagle! https://t.co/18llfYUqNe
— Bruce Pearl (@coachbrucepearl) April 16, 2018
“Returning to Auburn is a dream come true for me,” Flanigan said. “I’ve always wanted to come back to Auburn to coach basketball at some point. I want to thank coach Pearl and the staff for giving me this opportunity."
As a Tiger, Flanigan led the SEC in assists (214) in 1996. He finished second in program history with 573 assists and fourth in free throws with 338. The 1992-93 Gatorade High School Player of the Year was named to the All-SEC freshman team in 1994 and the All-SEC team in 1996.
“I’ve followed the program from afar over the years," Flanigan said. "I know our program is at an all-time high and I am looking forward to helping this staff, these players and coach Pearl continue the success that they have already established. I’m happy to be a part of it.”
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