Finebaum Raises Concerns Over Auburn Coach's Future

Analyst questions whether Steven Pearl can live up to his father's legacy at Auburn

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum has expressed concerns over the future of Auburn Tigers men's basketball coach Steven Pearl, son of legendary former coach Bruce Pearl. Finebaum believes Steven Pearl's struggles in his first season as head coach, including a recent suspension of the team's best player, could put him on the hot seat if the team fails to make the NCAA tournament after a Final Four appearance last season.

Why it matters

The transition from Bruce Pearl to his son Steven as Auburn's head coach was seen by many as a way to maintain the program's recent success. However, Finebaum's criticism suggests there are doubts about whether Steven can live up to his father's legacy, which could have major implications for the future of the Auburn basketball program.

The details

Steven Pearl took over the Auburn program from his father Bruce, who abruptly retired in September 2025 just before the start of the season. The younger Pearl had been a successful assistant under his father, but has struggled in his first season as head coach, with Auburn posting a 14-11 record so far and a 5-7 conference mark. Finebaum believes a failure to make the NCAA tournament after last season's Final Four run could put Steven Pearl's job in jeopardy, and he was critical of Pearl's recent decision to suspend the team's best player, Keyshawn Hall, saying it was not done to "win some sort of award" but rather due to clear violations of team policies.

  • Auburn finished the 2024-25 season with a trip to the Final Four.
  • Bruce Pearl abruptly retired as Auburn's head coach in September 2025.
  • Steven Pearl took over as Auburn's new head coach for the 2025-26 season.
  • As of February 2026, Auburn has a 14-11 record and 5-7 conference mark.

The players

Steven Pearl

The current head coach of the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team, taking over the program from his father Bruce Pearl.

Bruce Pearl

The legendary former head coach of the Auburn Tigers men's basketball team, who abruptly retired in September 2025.

Keyshawn Hall

The Auburn Tigers' best player, who was recently suspended by coach Steven Pearl for violating team policies.

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What they’re saying

“It's gone very badly. Some are arguing that Steven Pearl ends up being his father. I don't necessarily buy that. I don't like what I've seen in this team. What's happening right now, It doesn't add up, and they are in serious danger. If you go from making the Final Four to not making the NCAA tournament, I don't care what your last name is, Auburn fans are not going to be very happy.”

— Paul Finebaum, ESPN Analyst (McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning)

“When you suspend a player, you don't do it because you're trying to win some sort of award. You do it because the player has clearly violated team policies to a point where you cannot tolerate it any longer. So, I'm not about to give him a parade because he kicked off his best player. It just tells me that the players weren't listening to him.”

— Paul Finebaum, ESPN Analyst (McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning)

What’s next

With four of Auburn's final six opponents ranked below them, it's possible Finebaum could change his tune on Steven Pearl's future if the team finishes the season strong and makes the NCAA tournament.

The takeaway

The transition from Bruce Pearl to his son Steven as Auburn's head coach was seen as a way to maintain the program's recent success, but Finebaum's criticism suggests there are doubts about whether Steven can live up to his father's legacy, which could have major implications for the future of Auburn basketball.