One of the most familiar faces on Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Tigers basketball staff is stepping away after a decade with the program.

Assistant coach Chad Prewett announced his retirement from coaching on Wednesday via social media, ending a storied career on the Plains. Prewett, who joined the Auburn program in 2014, shared that he is leaving basketball to pursue a new path in ministry.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to Coach Bruce Pearl and the entire basketball staff,” Prewett wrote on Twitter. “Once an Auburn Tiger, always an Auburn Tiger.”

A cornerstone behind the scenes during Auburn’s rise to national relevance, Prewett wore many hats over the years. He served as a special assistant, director of operations, interim assistant coach, and, most recently, a full-time assistant while working with head coach Bruce Pearl. Prewett’s time with Auburn included six NCAA Tournament appearances. His influence on Auburn basketball speaks for itself. 

Prewett was on staff for the greatest seasons in program history, including Final Four runs in 2019 and 2025. Auburn’s official basketball site credits him with developing the star-studded All-SEC backcourt trio of Bryce Brown, Jared Harper, and Mustapha Heron, the heartbeat of Auburn’s magical 2019 Final Four run.

His impact was felt beyond the Xs and Os. Per the Auburn basketball site, Prewett was heavily involved in Bruce Pearl’s AUTLIVE initiative, a benefit for those in the fight against cancer. He also played a significant role in orchestrating the Bruce Pearl Fore the Children Golf Classic. 

Pearl and the program have not yet announced a replacement, but replacing Prewett’s deep institutional knowledge, philanthropic efforts, and steady leadership won’t be easy. They have four other assistants on staff, including Steven Pearl, the son of their current bench boss. 

Prewett’s time with Auburn is a significant success, with the team going 244-123 during his tenure. 

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