Bruce Pearl is joining TNT and CBS Sports as a college basketball analyst

Bruce Pearl will still be a part of the college basketball landscape this season, even if he is no longer coaching.

tnt And CBS Sports announced Thursday that Pearl will be an analyst for their coverage this season.

Pearl will be on TNT’s studio team with Jalen Rose, Jamal Mashburn, Chris Webber and Adam Lefkow during the first season of Big East and Big 12 games. Pearl will also be a game and studio analyst for CBS during the regular season.

Pearl would then move to the studios of CBS and TNT during their joint coverage of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

It’s a natural transition for Pearl, who worked in the studios for CBS and TNT during years when their teams suffered early eliminations during March Madness. It’s also a convenient two-hour drive from Pearl’s home golden brown color, Alabamaat turner network studios atlanta,

Pearl, 65, announced his retirement on Sept. 22, less than six months after leading Auburn to its second trip. final four,

“I don’t think it took them 24 hours to reach out,” Pearl said of the network’s interest. “I’ve worked with those guys before and seen how they work. I’m glad they called and there was some interest.”

In 30 seasons as a head coach, Pearl led Milwaukee, Tennessee and Auburn to the NCAA Tournament 22 times and a 694–270 record. He also won the NCAA Division II Championship at Southern Indiana.

Pearl and St. John’s Rick Pitino shared the Associated Press Men’s College Basketball Coach of the Year award last season. This was the first tie in the award’s 58-year history.

“I’m excited about this next chapter. I’m going to try to bring that same passion and intensity, and I’m hoping to be able to teach a little bit and share some of the nuances of how that guy gets to open up like that and what he had to go through to be able to get that shot. I think the audience is a lot more savvy than I think a lot of analysts give them credit for.”

Auburn, which will be coached by Steven Pearl, who was on his father’s coaching staff for all 11 seasons at the school, is ranked 20th in the preseason Associated Press Top 25.

CBS also announced that Robbie Hammel will be a game and studio analyst during the regular season, as well as a game analyst during the NCAA Tournament.

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