AUBURN, Ala. -- Looking to revive a moribund program, Auburn athletics director Jay Jacobs has hired a proven SEC winner as its men’s basketball coach.

Auburn has hired Pearl.

Bruce Pearl, who had a 145-61 record in six seasons at Tennessee, will replace Tony Barbee, who was dismissed six days ago after compiling a 49-75 record in four seasons at Auburn.

"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."

Pearl guided the Volunteers to the NCAA Tournament in all six seasons, reaching the Sweet Sixteen in 2007 and 2008 and the Elite Eight in 2010. Pearl’s 2007-08 UT squad finished 31-5 overall and 14-2 in the SEC including the conference regular season championship and achieving a No. 1 national ranking in February of 2008.

He was named the SEC Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2008.

"I'm humbled and blessed to 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."

NCAA violations forced Pearl out of Tennessee in 2011 and he was given a show-cause order, restricting his contact with recruits, through Aug. 23, 2014 after lying to NCAA investigators.

Before joining the UT program, Pearl guided Milwaukee to an 86-38 record in four seasons from 2001-05 including a trip to the Sweet Sixteen in 2005. He was 231-46 in nine seasons at Southern Indiana, winning the Div. II national championship in 1995.

Auburn’s last trip to the NCAA Tournament was in 2003 when the Tigers advanced to the Sweet Sixteen under coach Cliff Ellis. Auburn has had just two winning seasons in the past 11 years including a 24-12 record under Jeff Lebo in 2008-09.

Pearl, who turned 54 on Tuesday, has served as the vice president of marketing for the H.T. Hackney Company in Knoxville, Tenn., along with being a part-time basketball analyst for ESPN the past three years.

***

Want to enjoy all of the premium content on AuburnUndercover.com? Click HERE to find out how to receive access to the latest in Auburn athletics with a 30-day FREE trial!!! Get all the breaking news, insight from the best staff of insiders in the market, and join a lively message board community. Also check out our recruiting database and enjoy quality content from football, basketball, baseball, and other Olympic sports.