Auburn extends Pearl

Auburn has given Coach Bruce

Pearl a five-year contract extension after the program’s best season in years. Pearl led the Tigers to a share of their first SEC regular season title since 1999 last season despite having two top players ineligible. The extension announced Monday runs through the 2022-2023 season. “It was a historic season for Auburn basketball and one that was matched by excellence in the classroom as well,” Athletic Director Allen Greene said. Auburn went 26-8 and snapped a 15year NCAA Tournament drought, beating College of Charleston in the first round. Only the 1998-1999 team won more games. Pearl is set to make $2.6 million this year with a $100,000 annual raise. The five-year total not counting bonuses will be $14 million. Pearl faced questions about his job security all season despite the on-court success. Before the season, Auburn fired associate head coach Chuck

Person, who is facing federal charges as part of a probe into corruption in college basketball. The NCAA ruled center Austin Wiley and forward

Danjel Purifoy ineligible last season after their families allegedly accepted money funneled through Person to steer them toward a financial advisory after they turned pro. Pearl is poised to have another strong team next season. Wiley is eligible while Purifoy must sit out part of the season. Wiley and guards Jared Harper and

Bryce Brown all opted to return after exploring their NBA Draft status. Second-team All-SEC guard Mustapha

Heron also withdrew from the draft, but he has transferred to St. John’s.