Bruce Pearl walks out after guiding Auburn to one of their most successful periods in college basketball. Now, Steven Pearl steps into the spotlight, ready to carry forward his father Bruce’s legacy and lead Auburn basketball into a new era. However, Steven is very different from his father.“They are the two most dedicated people I know,” Steven’s wife said of Bruce and Steven. “But personality-wise, I would say they’re quite different.”

Pearl knows all the ins and outs of the program and has been ready to take over for a while. “Bruce Pearl and I have been having hypothetical conversations for a couple of years now and just when he would specifically hang it up, we weren’t sure when that was going to be,” He said. Let’s understand more about Steven and his background. 

Where Is Steven Pearl From & What Is His Nationality?

Steven Pearl was born on September 14, 1987, in Evansville, Indiana. As a result, Steven is American by his Nationality. Pearl started at Nicolet High School in Glendale, Wisconsin, with his father, Bruce Pearl, coaching the Milwaukee Panthers. Steven then transferred to West High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, before his senior year. After taking a jump to college, Steven played under his father for the Tennessee Volunteers for 101 games.  

What Is Steven Pearl’s Ethnicity and Religion?

Steven Pearl is of ethnically Jewish descent through his father. Steven’s great-grandfather was the first to arrive in the country. His father, Bruce Pearl, grew up in a Reform Jewish household in Massachusetts and remembers speaking Yiddish with his grandparents and putting on tefillin with his paternal grandfather, Jack Pearlmutter, an Austrian immigrant. While Steven hasn’t talked about his ethnic background, in 2009, he played for the Maccabi USA team.

What Is Steven Pearl’s Religion?

Steven Pearl is Jewish by religion. His father, Bruce Pearl, is extremely religious. “See (Israel) for yourself. Live it. Experience it. You’ll never be in a place physically on this Earth where you can get closer to God.” He has said. Bruce has been active in the local Jewish community in Auburn. Bruce also co-founded the Jewish Coaches Association, which hosts an annual breakfast for Jewish NCAA basketball coaches at the tournament’s Final Four weekend. However, Steven himself hasn’t reinforced those beliefs. 

How Does Steven Pearl’s Background Influence His Career?

Being the son of Bruce Pearl, Steven Pearl was naturally drawn to basketball. From his high school days to college, he tried to make it on the court. After being a star in high school, Steven had to evolve into being a defender and the glue guy. Steven and Bruce got Tennessee to its first-ever Elite Eight in 2010, losing a heartbreaker to Draymond Green and Michigan State. 

The next year, both walked away from Tennessee. After Bruce was fired and given a three-year show cause, Steven left college basketball behind and took a medical sales job with Stryker. Within 3 years, Steven was tired of being away from basketball, and Bruce’s Auburn job gave him a way back in. “I want to help you turn Auburn around like we turned around Tennessee,” Steven told Bruce at the time. 

Steven Pearl’s rise through Auburn’s ranks was steady and earned: starting as an assistant strength coach, then director of basketball operations, managing team travel and daily logistics, before earning a promotion to assistant coach in April 2017. After eight years on the bench shaping the Tigers’ defense and culture, Steven finally stepped into the hot seat, taking over the very role his father Bruce Pearl held for over a decade.

Steven will be the youngest head coach in the SEC at 38, with Florida’s Todd Golden being 40. Auburn has already signed the protege to a five-year contract. His father, Bruce, is not exactly staying at home, as Steven will continue getting his guidance as he transitions into an ambassador role for the athletic department and special assistant to the athletic director.