AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn hired Bruce Pearl as its new basketball coach Tuesday, bringing in a frequent visitor to the NCAA Tournament, a coach with SEC experience, a three-time national coach of the year and fan favorite.

Pearl coached at Tennessee from 2005 through the 2011 season, taking all six of his teams to the NCAA Tournament. He's been an ESPN basketball analyst the last several seasons.

"I'm humbled and blessed to be back in the game that I love," Pearl said. "I don't know how long it will take, but it's time to rebuild the Auburn basketball program, and bring it to a level of excellence so many of the other teams on campus enjoy."

Pearl was the second fastest to 300 career wins in NCAA history, trailing only North Carolina's Roy Williams. Pearl is a two-time SEC coach of the yeaer.

Auburn Athletics Director Jay Jacobs welcomed his new coach.

"From the moment I met Coach Pearl and heard his vision for our basketball program, it was clear he’s the right man at the right time for Auburn," Jacobs said.

"Coach Pearl is a proven winner who will bring energy and excitement to our program. We have raised the bar for Auburn basketball, and I could not be more excited for our student-athletes and our future under Coach Pearl’s leadership. I know he agrees with me — it’s time to win."

Auburn basketball legend Charles Barkley endoresed the hire.

"Coach Pearl has a proven track record and he's a great fit for our program. WDE," Barkley said.

Pearl won a Division II national championship at Southern Indiana during the 1994-95 season. He went 231–46 in nine seasons there from 1992-2001. He spent the next four years at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he went 86-36 that included two trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a trip to the Sweet 16.

He was hired at Tennessee in time for the 2005-06 season and promptly led the Vols, in order, to the NCAA Tournament's second round, two straight Sweet 16 appearances, a first-round game, the Elite Eight and back to the first round.

He went 145-61 at Tennessee in six seasons.

Pearl replaces Tony Barbee, who was dismissed last Wednesday at the end of a 14-16 record.

Dancin' with the Devil in the pale moonlight......

Desperate times calls for desperate measures. This is similar to $aban hiring Kiffen, besides the fact that Pearl has a winning reputation and that AU BB program won't be missed if/when Pearl gets it the death penalty.

Que the Alabama 12 basketball fans meltdown..

I am very surprised that Pearl took the job. Auburn is a tough place to win simply because of Under Amour. If anyone can do it, Pearl can. I'm all for another good SEC Basketball team but I simply not sold on Auburn.

Unlike Kiffen, Pearl has actually won when he was the head coach...

Before I give my take on this, I hope that he is successful and helps AU put a good team on the field.

Pearl has a ton of baggage, and a lot of basketball coaches and administrators probably have a different opinion of Auburn today. He's a cheater and a snitching rat at the same time.

Cheating? he lied about having a cookout at his house with recruits.

nothing like what Cal has been suspected doing.

You need to go back a bit further than 10rc to get the history on Pearl 's actions.