Steven Pearl details what he has learned so far about coaching in the SEC

Eight games into SEC play, Steven Pearl‘s Auburn Tigers sit at 5-3 with four consecutive victories. They earned their fourth straight SEC win Wednesday night at home against Texas, by a score of 88-82. Pearl is in the midst of his first season with the program and has led Auburn to a 14-7 overall record.

Pearl succeeded his father, Bruce Pearl, who led Auburn to a 244-123 record with two Final Four appearances from 2014-2025. There were certainly large shoes to fill, but Steven Pearl seems to finally be settling into his role.

Following the win on Wednesday, Steven Pearl was asked about what he has learned about coaching in the SEC so far. Consistency is key for the second-generation head coach.

“I think trying to stay consistent, even when you have two devastating losses,” Steven Pearl said. “I have to do what I do in my preparation and not change, and I want to be just as positive, hungry, and humble then as I am now when we win four in a row. For me, I think my guys have responded pretty well to me being more fiery in our huddles and our talks about what we have to do to win games.

Steven Pearl reveals best piece of advice he’s ever received

“I told our guys that those last three games aren’t going to make shots,” Steven Pearl continued. “Those last three games aren’t going to grab rebounds. Those last three games aren’t going to play any defense. We have to do that tonight, and for the most part, I thought we did. So for me, it’s just trying to stay consistent in my routine. I say it all the time, but you can’t get too high and you can’t get too low. The best piece of advice I’ve ever gotten is ‘it’s never as bad as you think it is, but it’s never as good as you think it is’.

Auburn opened SEC play with a 1-3 record, although two of its losses came by four or less points. Since then, however, the Tigers look like a threat to make some noise in the SEC race down the final stretch of the schedule. They have a daunting stretch of games ahead, though, including Tennessee, No. 23 Alabama, No. 18 Vanderbilt, and No. 15 Arkansas.

They are currently projected as a No. 6 seed in On3’s latest Bracketology, and could improve that seed line mightily with three or four wins over their next four games. Auburn has not missed the NCAA Tournament since 2021.