Auburn University’s thrilling journey to the Final Four this season wasn’t just about talent and tenacity—it was about faith. Head Coach Bruce Pearl says spiritual formation and a strong relationship with God have been foundational to the team’s identity, and it’s been evident on and off the court.
“This is a team of faith,” Pearl said following Auburn’s Elite Eight victory. “We work really hard at trying to bring in those kind of people—guys that are going to make sacrifices. You want to be on a great team, you’ve got to make sacrifices. You’ve got to share. You’ve got to hold each other accountable. And I think that’s also a big part of what this locker room is all about.”
Pearl, who is Jewish, has created a culture where spiritual development is just as important as athletic development. His relationship with God has deepened over the years, and he wants his players to experience the same growth.
“As I’ve gotten older and grown and matured, I think it’s really difficult to navigate the world without having a relationship with the Lord,” he said. “That’s why I want to speak about it, encourage players, and help them find a way to nurture it and navigate through life.”
One of the more visible signs of the team’s spiritual focus is during games—when players sink a three-pointer, many of them point upward. Pearl explained that it’s a way of “calling God.”
“You see, every time they make a three ball, they’re calling God. That’s what they’re doing,” he said with a smile. “I’m getting emails and voicemail messages from parents of 8-year-old girls going, ‘My daughter banged her first three, and she called God,’ and the parents were so excited about it.”
But it’s not just about public gestures—it’s about holding each other to a higher standard. Pearl said these faith-based moments give him teaching opportunities to talk with his team about character and integrity.
“If we’re going to call God and we’re going to do that, then we can’t act this way or that way,” he explained.
Auburn players say that their spiritual growth has come from more than just pre-game rituals—it’s woven into their daily routine. According to senior center Dylan Cardwell, team breakfasts at 9 a.m. include Bible studies, and the players have fully embraced the opportunity to grow in faith together.
“We really bought in,” Cardwell said.
Senior forward Chaney Johnson shared how these moments have helped him grow closer to God and become a stronger Christian.
“As young men, it’s always preached to hide your emotions and keep everything inside,” Johnson said. “But with the Bible studies, we’re learning about God as well as how to be a better Christian… We better ourselves through the Word and with God.”
A key part of the team’s spiritual development has come from Jeremy Napier, Auburn’s team chaplain, who’s now in his second year. Johnson says Napier’s influence can’t be overstated.
“He’s bringing a lot of guys to Christ in a very ethical manner, slowly but surely,” Johnson said. “He’s honestly made my love for Christ a lot stronger. I was always a strong believer, but to be able to have him pour into me from his stories and his life experiences—it really helped me build my strength for the love of God.”