Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl during a practice session for the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Alamodome. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Bruce Pearl, Rick Pitino make history together with award

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated Apr 4, 2025 1:39 PM ET

Bruce Pearl and Rick Pitino had outstanding seasons with their respective programs, but there can only be one Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year, right?

Wrong.

On Friday, Pitino and Pearl were named co-winners of the AP College Basketball Coach of the Year award. The result marked the first time in 58 years of men’s Coach of the Year voting that two coaches have finished in a tie.

NEWS: For the first time in the 58-year history of the Associated Press Coach of the Year award, there is a tie in the voting. The co-winners of the award are Bruce Pearl and Rick Pitino.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) April 4, 2025

Auburn has a 32-5 record this season and is preparing to face SEC rival and fellow 1-seed Florida in the Final Four on Saturday. The Final Four appearance is the second for Pearl with the Tigers.

Pitino led St. John’s to a 31-5 record, a regular-season Big East championship and a Big East Tournament title this season. The Red Storm earned a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament and lost to Arkansas in the second round.

The Coach of the Year award is the first for both Pitino and Pearl. Pitino is the first St. John’s coach to win the award.

The 72-year-old Pitino has not indicated that he is considering retirement, as he recently landed a star player via the transfer portal.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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