Auburn has agreed with men's basketball head coach Bruce Pearl to a new five-year contract, according to Athletic Director Allen Greene. The deal will keep Pearl through the 2023-2024 season.
According to 247Sports, Pearl will earn $3.8 million per year with it increasing $125,000 per year after the 2019-20 season. Pearl's buyout details were also included with the buyout starting at $8 million in the first year, $6 million in the second year, $4 million in the third year and $2 million in the fourth year.
The new contract will make Pearl the third highest paid coach in the SEC, behind Kentucky's John Calipari ($9.2 million) and Tennessee's Rick Barnes ($4.7 million). Pearl is tied with new A&M coach Buzz Williams for third.
"Under Bruce's leadership, our basketball program has reached new heights. Our young men continue to thrive in the classroom and on the court. We've experienced many firsts, including a well-documented run to the Final Four and a pair of SEC titles," Greene said.
"Bruce and his wife Brandy have been very active within the university and the Auburn community, and we are appreciative of all of their efforts. Our return on investment is undeniable, and supporting this program from A-to-Z will continue to be a priority. Simply stated, we look forward to having Bruce as the head coach of our basketball program for many years to come."
In Pearl's five years at Auburn, he has led the program to its first NCAA Final Four this season, an SEC regular season title in 2017-18 and an SEC tournament title this season. Auburn's 74 wins over the last three seasons are the most over three years in program history. Pearl is also the first coach at Auburn to amass 100 wins in his first five seasons.
"I would like to thank President Leath, Allen Greene and the Board of Trustees for their belief. The investment in me and my staff demonstrates their support of the men's basketball program moving forward. I'm happy and blessed to be at Auburn and live in this wonderful community," Pearl said.
Auburn has had 18 players graduate over the previous four seasons, the most in the SEC during that span, and received an Academic Progress Rate Public Recognition Award for the first time since the award began tracking data in 2004. The NCAA annually honors teams earning multiyear Academic Progress Rates in the top 10 percent of all squads in each sport.
"I'm grateful to my coaching and support staff for building a competitive men's basketball program," Pearl said. "I'm grateful to our players for buying in, working extremely hard and representing what being an Auburn man and student-athlete is all about. We have the best fan base in America. The Auburn Family is for real and, along with The Jungle, create a unique gameday atmosphere. It's great to be an Auburn Tiger. War Eagle!"
Auburn basketball has sold out of season tickets in Pearl's five seasons as head coach, something that has only occurred once in program history before Pearl took over.
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