Auburn men's basketball is under new leadership for the first time in 11 seasons. Steven Pearl, the son of Bruce Pearl, the man who led the program to success unparalleled in its history throughout his tenure at its helm, will be the Tigers' 22nd head coach.

One of the biggest criticisms of Pearl's promotion has been his lack of experience, specifically how he has not served as a head coach previously.

Pearl believes that learning under his father and helping him elevate the standard of Auburn basketball was as beneficial for him as leading another program would have been.

"I’ve been prepared for this moment my entire life," Pearl said. "Being under BP as his son, as a player and as his coach, I’ve been able to watch him and the things that he does that helps build programs and sustain success. So, there is really no better way for me to learn how to do it than to watch him do it every single day."

While Pearl acknowledges how serving as a head coach could have done a great deal for him to be prepared for this moment, he also feels ready to handle certain responsibilities that are generally handled by head coaches as a result of his father's effective method of delegation.

"Obviously, if I come in elsewhere and cut my teeth, I’m sure I could have had one of those experiences, but he entrusts and empowers his staff and he relies on his staff so much that we’re doing things that a lot of head coaches are being trusted to do every single day already," Pearl said. 

Bruce's methods of getting his staff involved have been a difference-maker, and several high-caliber coaches have come from his tree. One example is Todd Golden, who just led the Florida Gators to a national championship, going through Auburn in the semi-finals to do so.

"Over the last couple summers, he’s allowed us as a staff to kind of run things in practice to gain some extra experience," Pearl said. "It has been really important. It’s been really helpful and it’s really helped us all grow in our journey to move up the ladder to eventually be head coaches.”

Pearl has put in his time, and now he will have an opportunity to prove a lot of people wrong.