Bruce Pearl has been named chairman of the U.S. Israel Education Association‘s board of directors, it was announced Thursday.

USIEA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and serving government leaders who are directly involved in advancing dialogue between the United States and Israel.

“I am deeply honored to be named Chairman of the U.S. Israel Education Association and hope I can even begin to fill the shoes of outgoing Chair Dr. Phil Roe, former member of Congress and Chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee,” Pearl said in a released statement.

“My experience in Israel was transformative. I felt it was my responsibility to become more involved in the mission of USIEA and educating senior government leaders in America on the importance of supporting Israel.”

Pearl and his Auburn Tigers are coming off an NCAA Tournament Final Four appearance. Pearl, the 2025 AP Coach of the Year, and his wife Brandy got to know USIEA during the organization’s 2019 Partners Tour to Israel at the invitation of former USIEA Chair Bob Broadway.

“I also shared this important journey with my team,” Pearl’s statement read. “In August 2022, Auburn University became the first Division I basketball team to play a professional Israeli team, marking a historic moment in both college athletics and U.S.-Israel relations. I’m proud to continue advocating for greater understanding and collaboration between our two nations.”

These tours provide an experience for community and business leaders to have high-level briefings on Israeli defense, artificial intelligence, U.S.-Israel foreign policy, and more, according to a release.

Inspired by the trip, Pearl’s passion for Israel grew, motivating him to join the USIEA Board of Directors in 2021.

“I’ve dedicated much of my life to teaching young people about the importance of leadership, values, and understanding different perspectives,” Pearl said. “My work with USIEA aligns with those principles, and I’m excited to continue building a bridge of understanding between these two great nations.”