AUBURN, Ala. ( WSFA ) - Shockwaves on the Plains tonight as Auburn men’s basketball coach, Bruce Pearl, has stepped down after more than a decade at the helm.

The winningest coach in school history is transitioning into a new role as Special Assistant to the Athletics Director. But the Pearl family isn’t leaving Auburn basketball — his son, Steven Pearl, will take over as head coach.

When the news broke, many Auburn students and fans couldn’t believe it.

“I honestly thought it was fake,” said junior Brady Shahan. “I was scrolling on Instagram and I was like, this has to be one of those troll accounts.”

Others said the moment brought tears.

“I was gutted,” recalled junior Bergen Peterson. “I walked out of class, I didn’t know what to do. I walked over to the arena. Tears in my eyes.

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