Paul Finebaum is raising concerns about the future of Steven Pearl as head coach of the Auburn Tigers, suggesting the first-year leader may not have long-term security if the season continues to slide.
Steven Pearl stepped into the role following the sudden retirement of his father, Bruce Pearl. While Steven had earned praise as an assistant playing a major role in assembling the 2024–25 roster that reached the program’s second-ever Final Four the timing and optics of the transition created skepticism among some fans, particularly as losses have mounted.
Auburn currently sits at 14–11 overall and 5–7 in conference play, and Finebaum warned that a disappointing finish especially missing the NCAA Tournament after a Final Four appearance would intensify pressure on Steven regardless of his last name. Speaking on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, Finebaum said he has not seen evidence that Steven will mirror his father’s success and believes the team’s recent performances are troubling.
Complicating matters, Auburn has dealt with roster challenges, including losing frontcourt depth when Emeka Opurum was sidelined for the season with an injury. Still, critics argue that the program’s drop-off from national contender to bubble team is difficult to ignore.
Finebaum also criticized Steven Pearl’s recent decision to suspend leading scorer Keyshawn Hall for failing to meet team standards. Hall, who averages over 20 points per game, missed a key matchup as Auburn fights to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes alive. Finebaum said suspensions are necessary only when team rules are clearly violated, adding that removing the team’s best player suggests deeper locker room issues rather than decisive leadership.
Meanwhile, Pearl has urged unity, asking his players to eliminate distractions and focus on finishing the season strong. With several lower-ranked opponents remaining, Auburn still has an opportunity to recover but the margin for error is shrinking.
If the Tigers rally, Finebaum’s concerns could fade quickly. If they falter, Steven Pearl’s job security may become a serious offseason discussion.
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