According to a source close to Tennessee's program, Pearl has expressed interest in the position...

According to a source close to Tennessee's program, Pearl has expressed interest in the position through intermediaries. The reasons given would be access to the Memphis talent base, which he has not been able to lure to East Tennessee, but would fit well with his up-tempo style of play.

Pearl would also be one of the few candidates who could dominate the city in much the same way Calipari did through the sheer force of his personality.

This is not a late April Fool's joke. The story comes from The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, via the Knoxville News-Sentinel's website. And the fear is real.

almost 3 years ago Will Shelton 7 comments 0 recs |

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CBP will not be able to recruit any better in Memphis then he does here. These players go to where the coaches are, and where they think they can make it to the NBA..In my crazy no count opinion in order for CBP to upgrade his recruits he is going to have to allow them to display their talents to the world by allowing them to play more minutes.

I certianly do not want him to go, but if he leaves UT for Memphis then he really didnt want to be here anyway…the good news is that he has upgraded UT to a level that if he does leave we should be able to land a big time coach…

I just cant see CBP taking Calipari’s sloppy seconds….and thats not a dig at memphis its a dig at their relationship with each other.

Tackled by "Puki" and a host of Volunteers

by voljunkie on Apr 1, 2009 11:49 PM EDT reply actions

This is behind a paywall, but this article at VolQuest seems to suggest this won't happen.

A few of the rational-sounding commenters at GVX are saying that Hamilton would deny Memphis the right to talk to Pearl, even if they asked, and that he’s certain Pearl wouldn’t want to leave anyhow.

The one nice thing in all of this is that the SEC’s contract with ESPN is giving the AD more than just booster money to throw at coaches. They’ve done a decent job at keeping the numbers in check on the football salaries, so there should be some room to enhance salaries as needed to keep Pearl. The oddity is that any raise for Pearl invokes a raise for Summitt (darn that lifetime achievement thing! (-; ) but I can’t see that being prohibitive.

There are other programs that worry me far more than Memphis. Anything in Indiana/Illinois would be a start.

by David Hooper on Apr 1, 2009 11:56 PM EDT reply actions

Ego?

If not for those comments about “maybe I’m in the wrong place” earlier this year, this doesn’t worry me a bit. And ultimately…anyone who thinks Tiger High is a better job than Tennessee, I don’t want them around anyway.

But I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Pearl has an ego…is there an enticement to do what Calipari couldn’t? That would be only winning a National Championship…and while UTK is a better job, it’s easier to win a National Championship at Memphis.

I’m feeling a combination of worry and denial right now…but what I really want to hear is a full denial from Pearl on this, tomorrow. If not…worry is going to take over.

by Will Shelton on Apr 2, 2009 12:02 AM EDT reply actions

Certainly he has an ego.

You can’t be a great coach without one.

I do agree, though, that Pearl has left the door open for the possibility of such a move. The comments you reference and the enticements you mention are all legit reasons to speculate that this is at least possible.

by David Hooper on Apr 2, 2009 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Pearl's quotes here

make me feel a little better:

"It doesn’t take much to get my batteries recharged,‘’ Pearl said. "Not playing last weekend was enough. But this … John Calipari will bring another level of energy to this league.’’

(KNS: Pearl knows Kentucky got "upgrade")

by Will Shelton on Apr 2, 2009 12:29 AM EDT reply actions

Also keep in mind

Pearl could just be trying to get a raise out of Tennessee.

"Florida didnt win their first SEC title until 1991 and now they think they invented football."
-Ron Zook

by rustytanton on Apr 2, 2009 6:43 AM EDT reply actions

See: Pearl's Name on the Hot List for Memphis Post

Gary Parrish writes for CBS Sports and is a local Memphian with deep contacts among the agents, coaches and the UofM administration. Bruce Pearl is on the list. The money they are willing to throw around is HUGE. (The link to Gary’s article is in a comment to the Pearl Hot List post – Recent Fanposts).

He may be angling for a raise but BP was also genuinely disappointed that he took daily heat last year from the fan base when he told us from the beginning that it was going to be an up & down year with lesser results than last year.

He’d be crazy to go, but here’s hoping he stays and gets the $$$.

by memphispete on Apr 2, 2009 7:19 AM EDT reply actions