Former Milwaukee head coach Bruce Pearl retires

Just weeks before the NCAA college hoops seasons begins, Bruce Pearl has decided on retiring from coaching after 11 seasons at Auburn, 6 seasons at Tennessee and 4 seasons at Milwaukee (as well as several seasons at DII Southern Indiana before he began coaching in DI).

Bruce Pearl has stepped down from coaching

Pearl was 86-38 (.694) in his four seasons at the helm in Milwaukee and took the Panthers to both their first ever NCAA Tournament in 2003 as well as their first Sweet 16 in 2005. He ushered in the modern era of Milwaukee Panther Basketball and dramatically grew and raised the expectations of a fan base that had never previously taken their basketball team that seriously.

He finishes with an astonishing overall career record of 477-224 (.680) and has designated his son Stephen to take over the Auburn program.

These practice jerseys were apparently a prototype for a later jersey that arrived around 2010

Pearl made magic in Milwaukee and Panther fans have been looking to rekindle that magic ever since, returning to the NCAA Tournament in 2006 (second round) and 2014 (first round). Someday, this Milwaukee program will get back to the Sweet 16 and break on through to the next level- the Elite Eight- to set the next big program milestone.

Milwaukee is grateful for everything Pearl did to get us all to believe; but we must step out of his shadow into new success stories

Until then, the greatest season in Milwaukee Panther Basketball history is that beautiful '04-'05 campaign. The "Banner Boys".

go panthers.

remember the little things. 🏆🏀