Bruce Pearl Fired at Tennessee
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 2:30 PM EDT
in Tennessee Volunteer Basketball
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The winningest era in Tennessee Basketball history is over.
According to Jimmy Hyams from Knoxville radio station WNML, the University of Tennessee has fired head basketball coach Bruce Pearl, six months and one basketball season after a press conference last September which revealed an NCAA investigation into the basketball program. Even though he was working without a contract, Pearl will receive a buyout from the university, the details of which reportedly caused the decision to be delayed through the weekend. Hyams also reports the call was made by university chancellor Jimmy Cheek. If/when there is a press conference, we will update with that information here.
For all of our jokes about timelines, here it is one more time: Pearl committed a violation by hosting a high school junior recruit at his house for a BBQ, then lied about it to the NCAA. Tennessee docked $1.5 million from Pearl's salary, and took him and his assistant coaches off the road in recruiting in staggered amounts, up to a year for Pearl.
But in what will stand as one of the most ill-advised decisions in this entire process, the university allowed Pearl and his coaches to stay on the road in recruiting for two weeks after the September press conference, before the suspensions began. Four days after the press conference, Pearl committed a bump violation with a recruit in Virginia. Though bump violations are very common and considered secondary, the timing and the fact that Pearl did not self-report it - believing it not to be a violation at all - put him in further trouble with the university and the NCAA. Mike Slive suspended Pearl for the first eight games of SEC play this year after finding out about the bump.
As the Vols' season went into a flat spin after a 7-0 start and a blowout win at #3 Pittsburgh, so too did Pearl's future. The public did not learn about the bump violation until the NCAA's letter arrived in late February, and three weeks later athletic director Mike Hamilton gave a radio interview in which he said that Pearl would be evaluated at the end of the season. It is certainly possible that Pearl's future had already been decided at that point, and that the 30 point loss to Michigan in the NCAA Tournament (which Hamilton's interview certainly had an impact on) nor the massive support Pearl has received from the fanbase over the last 72 hours made any difference in the end.
So here we are now at the end. And if Pearl's first five years brought the greatest joy Tennessee Basketball fans have ever known, this ending brings us our greatest tragedy.
It's not a tragedy simply because Pearl is gone - it remains to be seen what the NCAA will do to the program, especially now that Pearl is out. It remains to be seen, and will be discussed here and everywhere over the next several days/weeks, who the Vols will hire next, and what kind of job he will do. We may look back in a few years and see exactly how far we have fallen. Or we may look back with great appreciation for the good job the next guy is able to do.
But this is tragic because the whole situation was so unnecessary. Bruce Pearl is responsible for Bruce Pearl, and at the end he is no longer the coach here because of his own actions. Obviously the two violations were wrong, but had Pearl just been honest, it seems likely the Vols would have been dealing with only secondary violations.
It's tragic because even though Pearl will be labeled a "cheater" by some, all of his on-court success is valid. This isn't a situation where we found out after the fact that all of the great moments we've enjoyed over the last six years were tainted because Pearl cheated and affected the outcome. Pearl's record will stand as the best of any Tennessee Basketball coach, ever. One year ago this Friday, we beat Ohio State to make the program's first ever Elite Eight. And one year later, it's over.
The timing of all the events of the last few weeks are tragic - Hamilton's interview killed a team that was playing in the NCAA Tournament. And yet, there have certainly been plenty of rumors (plus Hyams' report today) that this decision was made over Hamilton's head, by higher-ups in the university including Chancellor Jimmy Cheek. It's believed by many that Hamilton fought for his basketball coach, but if that information never fully comes to light, the majority of the fanbase is going to go after Hamilton. Regardless of your opinion of Mike Hamilton, stay classy, Tennessee.
And it's obviously not that Hamilton had everyone's support before last September. But if Hamilton fought for Pearl and still ends up getting outed by an outraged but misinformed fanbase, that too would be tragic.
Tennessee Basketball and Bruce Pearl (and his staff) needed each other. The Vols will go on with someone new and we'll see what happens, but Pearl and his staff will almost certainly receive show-cause letters that will keep them out of the college game for a number of years. Pearl would do an excellent job on television if he so chooses, and having just turned 51, will probably still have his pick of schools when the show-cause penalty is up. I hope none of them are in the SEC.
Tennessee Basketball will go on, but will do so without the coach who stands on tables in the university center and paints his chest for the Lady Vols. Someone else may win here - though it would be an absolute miracle if the next guy pulls off what Pearl did in his first five years - but they will be a different person. The next hire can't be Bruce Pearl, they'll have to be who they are. And hopefully, we will grow to love them.
But we'll always miss Bruce Pearl.
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I'm so angry and sad.
That I can’t say anymore than that now.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
by sddbaker on Mar 21, 2011 2:36 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
shame shame shame
"I condone fun things" ~~ Cortland Finnegan
Hello ladies. Look at your man, now back to me, now back at your man, now back to me. Sadly, he isn't me.
by VolBrian on Mar 21, 2011 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
End of an Era
You can’t replace Bruce.
What are you talking about, Willis?
by Huge Alien Head on Mar 21, 2011 2:39 PM EDT reply actions
you can certainly get a new basketball coach...
but no, you can’t replace Bruce Pearl. This feels like Neyland being forced out in 1934.
I can't remember
The last time we had a season that a coach wasn’t being recruited.
It’s like the UT Fan Base has suddenly become Sisyphus
BloodSpite
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football." John Heisman
And it's not out of the realm of possibility to see that happen in baseball shortly.
(Not based on any information other than general fan apathy. Plz not to misinterpret. kthx.)
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't even hint.
I just want one season without a major transition. Just one.
And I don’t even like baseball.
BloodSpite
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football." John Heisman
by Joseph Stanley on Mar 21, 2011 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I sincerely doubt
that the baseball team is going to be able to perform well enough to save Raleigh’s job this year. We aren’t very good, and Hamilton stated darn near unequivocally that if they don;t make the postseason, he’s gone.
Well, I'll wait until two days before the postseason before listening to Hamilton about Raleigh.
;-)
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
TWO SOON
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
Hamilton getting rid of Delmonico for Raleigh is another example of his ineffectiveness as AD
"I don't want one of those guys who'll drive in two but let in three every game." Casey Stengel
by tnredneckyankeesfan on Mar 21, 2011 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe if we do two this year ... ;-)
______________________________________________
That's (333333jorkland)^2 and $$$$$$$$immons to you, chump.
If Hamilton ends up getting canned
Todd Raleigh may fall through the cracks for another year, because whoever comes in as AD is gonna be busy as a one armed paperhanger, and may not have the time to deal with a sport that no one in Knoxville particularly cares about.
Haven't been here in a while
But wanted to say . . . heavy, heavy sigh.
Well, this door is closed. Somebody start checking the windows.
I went to Siena College (in Loudonville NY)...
and I would like to reccommend to my school that we hire Bruce Pearl STAT!
I suspect you'll have to show cause to do so.
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
It's a shame
I enjoyed the last 6 years…. I remember my freshman year going to basketball games in an empty arena, and then experiencing what Pearl was able to do in a years time. I probably only missed a handful of home games the entire time I was in school, and went to every NCAA tournament that Pearl took Tennessee to. Fortunately (or unfortunately) I was there this past Friday to see it come to an end.
Hopefully the next coach we bring in will be able to replicate the success and excitement that Pearl brought. But I think it will be a few years before that will happen.
What a tragedy!
You summed up how this is a tragedy quite well. All Bruce had to do was be forthright and honest and he would still be the coach at UT. We will definitely miss Pearl and will not be able to replace him. We will have to move on and create a new type of excitement and following around whoever our new coach will be because they will be wearing Orange. But it definitely won’t feel the same. Out of all of the nonsense we’ve had to put up with for the last few years as a fan base, this series of events has been the hardest for me to take. I loved what Bruce had done for our basketball program.
by PrideofTheSouthlandFan on Mar 21, 2011 2:50 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Agreed
The Fulmer situation was very sad, but understandable. The other stuff caused anger. This is just tragic on every level.
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
And if we fired him on a hint,
it’s utterly appalling.
Not saying that UT/Cheek doesn’t know things we don’t know, but we don’t know that they do, either.
Yeah, the endgame on that one was obvious.
Once the NCAA goes ‘unethical conduct’, the results are, for a chance, predictable. If the UT/NCAA negotiations couldn’t shake that charge, then UT knew that the year-long was the lower limit coming their way.
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Fair enough
I think I may have been willfully denying the obvious. But after everything in the last couple years… this hurts.
I agree
It better be more than a year suspension he was facing. I think we could have made it through anything less. I was really hoping there was a chance he could stay. I have a feeling the powers that be felt the same way, but the NCAA left them no choice. I hope that is the case.
by PrideofTheSouthlandFan on Mar 21, 2011 2:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Sorry it had to come to this.
I loved Coach Pearl. Five of the last six years were a lot of fun.
Lou Brock loves Lamp.
Going to be a lot of I told you so...
going around when we end up hiring anyone that will listen to us since we decided to act preemptively.
Pray that we hit the jackpot again.
I'd settle for a good coach
but the guy that follows a guy like this usually ends up taking the fall for not also being the jackpot.
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd settle for a women's national championship in a couple of weeks.
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Go Lady Vols!
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
My bloodthirstyness just ticked up a few notches.
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
The Pat Haden school of hiring?
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
No school should have to endure what you folks have been through the last two years.
My hat is off to you. And here’s hoping you get a good one to replace him. You need someone the quality and character of Dooley to match that hire.
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Mar 21, 2011 2:57 PM EDT reply actions
Hey...
Lane Kiffin is quite possibly going to get a show cause soon… does that only apply to football?
That applies to the coach.
And technically, it does not apply to the coach’s current contract. If we had kept Pearl and had, say, a 5-year contract, then a 2-year show-cause would be irrelevant to us so long as we had the contract finished before that was announced. It just means you have to get NCAA approval to hire that coach prior to actually hiring him, or the team won’t be allowed to play in NCAA-sanctioned games. But the NCAA doesn’t have authority to force a university to justify a current hire.
They have to strongarm instead.
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
"But the NCAA doesn’t have authority to force a university to justify a current hire."
I’m not sure I would have worded it like this. The NCAA doesn’t have the authority to fire a current hire of a university (he being a state employee), or force the university to fire the current hire (the university being the state).
But for all practical purposes, they can. They can impose additional penalties on the school if they keep the coach. The Supreme Court in the Tarkanian case said this was okay. It is kinda BS in my opinion, but they can definitely do pretty easily indirectly what they can’t do directly.
...just apologize for not thanking me.
They can coerce, but not force.
A question of semantics in a practical sense, but not in a legal sense.
This.
That’s why the strongarm reference.
by David Hooper on Mar 22, 2011 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
When's Kelvin Sampson's show-cause ends?
/ducks
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
How about a public statement from Cheek.
He owes us that much. Let the wizard step out from behind the curtain.
What are you talking about, Willis?
by Huge Alien Head on Mar 21, 2011 3:07 PM EDT reply actions
seems to me...
he’s perfectly fine letting Hamilton take all the blame for this one
Hearing what I’ve heard the last few days, the inability for the UT admin to actually correct the amount of bad information out that shows either a staggering incompetence or a staggering indifference
There better be more than a statement
There better be a statement, and Cheek better be there
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
angry typing makes angry typos
there better be a press conference, and Cheek better be there
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I am so sad it has come to this.
I’m not eager to see what will happen, but I will say that I am eager to cheer on my BasketVols through thick and thin. What Bruce Pearl has given me cannot be so easily taken away, and that is an appreciation for what Tennessee Basketball can be and is.
Obviously, the Vols need to get a coach who can speak to the players about staying Pronto. We’ll see what comes of it.
I’m sad this was the final result of the saga, but it is important to remember that, through it all, this was all the blame not of some NCAA conspiracy or the media spouting lies, but about Bruce Pearl lying to NCAA investigators. I won’t be the type of fan that pouts and hollers because any NCAA decision doesn’t go their way, and I will continue to show as much support as I am able to for the University and for the Athletics Department that we all know works as hard as they can to ensure UT’s success….. even if they mess up sometimes. Being a Volunteer isn’t about always winning, it’s about always fighting.
Go Vols, right?
______________________________________________
That's (333333jorkland)^2 and $$$$$$$$immons to you, chump.
by bobothevol on Mar 21, 2011 3:07 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
cheers. and this.
VFL.
sweet. mother. of. breadsticks.
by RockyTopinKY on Mar 21, 2011 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Well said
Other fans are upset and I understand that, but I really hope they don’t mean it when they say they won’t support UT basketball anymore because of this. This program needs the fans more than ever right now and we need to support whoever our next coach is. Go Vols.
Lou Brock loves Lamp.
Hey...
what happened to the picture of the fat guy?
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Fixed.
Finding decent image hosting. I suck at it.
by _trey_ on Mar 21, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
Keep posting, and I think it'll keep being green anyway.
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Man, I had to go and rec all over again.
You’re killing me here! ;-)
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Dang
I loved seeing Bruce court side.
This is all wearing on me.
Even knowing this day could come, I’m totally gutted by this.
I love the Vols, I love Bruce Pearl. I will still be a fan of the Vols, and I will stil wish Coach Pearl and hi assistants all the best in their future jobs. But will I care like I’ve cared over the past six years? Probably not, and that’s tough for me.
What do you do as a Vols fan after the past few years? I’ve been a basketball season ticket holder – driven two hours like crazy after work to make it to games, I’m an alum. It will be a while before I can justify putting that kind of effort into supporting the Vols again. I love the University of Tennessee, and always will, but I need a break from it for a while.
Any chance Bruce is at the Women's game tonight?
That would be an awesome chance to say goodbye.
What are you talking about, Willis?
by Huge Alien Head on Mar 21, 2011 3:13 PM EDT reply actions
Would be nice, but doubtful because of the circumstances of his firing
I think that if he was gonna be fired, he should have been fired back in September
One of my best friends, a NC State alum, just texts me: I want Pearl at NCSU.
And I’m sure that’s the sentiment at many schools across the nation. Makes me totally sick.
that dude is going to be a very hot commodity once his show-cause is up.
Or as soon as a university can clear that hurdle, whichever comes first
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
He'll go wherever he wants
Time heals all wounds, including dishonesty, and his other wounds will still only be a BBQ and a bump violation 2-3 years from now
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry to hear it
Pearl is a good coach, great recruiter, and great personality. He brought a lot of talent to your sideline, and was just fun as hell to hate from a rival standpoint. Still, he seems to be unable to go more than a few years without attracting drama – I wonder what kind of program will take a spin on him next. Does he go the Harrick way and pop up at a mid-major, or will a BCS school roll the dice?
Good luck with the coaching search. Any ideas on who you’d want to come in and interview right now?
by Christian D'Andrea on Mar 21, 2011 3:17 PM EDT reply actions
We'll probably run something in-depth on candidates tomorrow
Lots of names out there: all the mid-major guys you’d suspect, plus Lawrence Frank (Celtics assistant/former Nets coach) is a former UT assistant under Kevin O’Neill, plus a couple others.
Thanks for the thoughts.
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Please no.
I want to be able to make it past the first game of the tournament at some point in the future.
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Dammit, that was supposed to be *my* line.
by Christian D'Andrea on Mar 21, 2011 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I've spent way too long listening to one Vandy guy I know talking trash all year.
I’m trigger-happy.
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
And I always resort to humor in moments like these.
Expect much more.
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
You think we'll even be making to the tournament at all in the future?
That’s what I call unfounded optimism.
I didn't say which tournament.
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, Stallings is a Bama guy and I hear he’s pretty happy on the ranch in Texas living in retirement. But he is a defensive genuis…
Wait, who? Kevin?
Never mind…
On that subject, I'd LOVE to see Saban coach basketball.
Stand up when you’re coaching from the sidelines Sa- … oh …
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
True confession time
I don’t really like basketball. I never watch NBA basketball, and only watched UT basketball regularly after Bruce got here. Will I continue to follow UT basketball like I have since Bruce arrived? Hard to say. But I doubt it.
by danmarcel on Mar 21, 2011 3:18 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Honestly? Me too.
I like women’s ball because it’s a different game. Defense is emphasized more heavily and teamwork is more important on offense. But I never once went to a men’s game at my undergrad alma, and I went to several men’s games here.
And there’s a reason I wrote about the LVs while Will and Joel took the guys. I liked the people but not the sport overall.
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Well...
I never watch the NBA, either. I do like basketball, and I’ve always followed the BasketVols, but I never LOVED following them until Pearl. I live about 3 to 4 hours from Knoxville, and I never attended a game until the last few years.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Really?
So you’re a Pearl fan vs. a UT basketball fan? OK then.
by phil g on Mar 21, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I can understand that.
I’m a Pearl fan; I’m not a men’s basketball fan, regardless of jersey.
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
DO you follow UT baseball?
Or softball? How about swimming? Hows the tennis team doing? Don’t condescend to me.
There is nothing I hate more than someone telling me what kind of fan I am or should be
Even on the internet, that crap is lowdown.
I’d let dude know what I thought of him if I thought the comment would still be here in 45 seconds.
What I really want to know at this point: who can I place the blame for the decision upon? The University of Tennessee owes me an explanation.
I can’t financially support this kind of garbage. If the one who pulled the trigger on this is oustered, they might someday draw me back. Not until then.
All reports point to Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, not Mike Hamilton
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
So the higher ups feel Hamilton is not competent to make these decisions?
Part of Hamilton’s job description is the hiring/firing of athletic personnel. If the Chancellor does not feel Hamilton is up to these decisions, should he not be replaced?
The thought is that Hamilton and Cheek had a difference of opinion
Hamilton wanted to keep Pearl, Cheek did not
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Shows a lot of Cheek, that one from Florida
Where I come from “cheek” is a polite reference to the “buttockal region”
(yes, that’s intended to sound stupid and redneck).
Cheek hiding behind Hamilton and his wonderful reputation among fans. /shameful
Hey, bad guys. Look up in the sky. See the UAV? Nope? We see you. "Don't laze me, bro'!"
That would be ...
Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, proud alumnus of the University of Florida.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Brinks truck to Butler coach.
Anyone else is a let down after Bruce Pearl.
If you win all your fights, you're pickin em
Totally serious opinion, not rooted in the emotion of the day: I don’t believe there’s a single coach in the nation I’d rather have than Bruce Pearl. I’ve told my wife that throughout this entire year. No one they can bring in fills this void.
I completely agree. He could XO with the best, he showed loyalty anytime tiger high or uk sniffed around offering a job, he painted his chest for a women’s game. He was not perfect, he admitted to his mistakes, he took a $1.5 mill pay cut. What more could you ask? You could not ask a man to give more to a school he didn’t attend. Maybe we are firing him to soften the blow so we can hire him back. Only way this is acceptable.
If you win all your fights, you're pickin em
by imhugeinjapan on Mar 21, 2011 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed - Imagine Brad Stephens and Dooley - HUGE credibility.
Hey, bad guys. Look up in the sky. See the UAV? Nope? We see you. "Don't laze me, bro'!"
Are Chancellors appointed?
Can we start a recall movement? It’s times like these I wish I wasn’t poor, and had enough money to donate to the university, so I could now stop donating.
Just buy fake money and send that in.
Dollar Store should have plenty in the kids’ section.
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll take up smoking and then quit!
Good job, Bart. Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things you can do. Here’s a dollar.
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
The women's game tonight is going to be interesting.
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
Debating starting Bruce Pearl chants during the game.
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't repeat yourself
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah.
I don’t honestly think there’s a chance I’d do that. Just a fun thought.
I’ll be focused on watching the gals curbstomp Marquette. Win one for not the Big East.
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I figure much the same.
Should be a pleasantly hostile crowd. I can’t imagine it’ll be fun for Marquette and their fans. Really bad timing for them.
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Bruce should show up chest painted one more time
If you win all your fights, you're pickin em
by imhugeinjapan on Mar 21, 2011 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1million.
______________________________________________
That's (333333jorkland)^2 and $$$$$$$$immons to you, chump.
That didn't take long.
About 60 minutes, give or take a second. ;-)
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Interesting thought people should remember:
You know who wants Mike Hamilton to stay at Tennessee? Derek Dooley.
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
True
Altho I’m hoping that if Hamilton is replaced, whoever comes in will have enough sense to realize that Dooley is the one good thing he’s got going for him when he hits the ground.
Yeah, he has a lot of other people to fire first.
He can placate his ‘must make changes’ MBA school tick without touching Dooley for a while. (And should probably leave tennis alone, too.)
by David Hooper on Mar 21, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
as a fan
I’m ok with a new AD in this situation. Dooley may turn out to be the man, but he hasn’t proven it yet. I’m all for giving the man his time, and for being able to move on if necessary. AD can make the best decision without his neck on the line.
If you win all your fights, you're pickin em
by imhugeinjapan on Mar 21, 2011 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Much easier to duck and cover.
Not that I’m upset about this or anything.
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
It's possible we're trying to screw this up every way possible
Radio interview to sabotage the coach as quickly as possible, but no official statement to make sure it lasts as long as possible
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Know what this looks great to?
Potential new hires.
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Is that the right face? I don't know.
But the tread marks up and down Phil Fulmer Way probably don’t look too good.
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Ever is a long, long time
His basketball record will stand until someone else comes along and breaks it. Who knows, could be the next coach building on the great foundation laid by Hamilton’s facility development and Pearl’s lifting the program’s profile.
But I’m quite sure he won’t be the greatest winner here ever. I’m sure someone out there can at least get us to a final 4 eventually.
You're sure someone OUT THERE can get us the the final four EVENTUALLY.
I feel much better now.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
When I say best ever
I mean the overall six year run – I hope we get to a Final Four eventually too, but there’s nothing in our history and nothing around the rest of the SEC recently that suggests the next guy can come in here and do six straight NCAAs, three Sweet 16s, an Elite Eight, an SEC title, and a #1 ranking. Not sure anyone will ever do that in a six year span, though I hope I’m wrong.
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope so too
I’d prefer to have Pearl, but there are other talented guys out there that could do good work here.
Heck, there’s even better basketball coaches, but few better at the promotion and charism sid of things. Pearl had those in spades.
Why not?
We’ve got great facilities, pay well, some great exposure thanks to Bruce. Why all of the pessimism?
If it is just emoting fine. Hopefully many of y’all will work through your stages of grief and come back with a better attitude toward UT basketball.
Because we have
A: Proven incompetent leadership outside the Athletic Department
B: A lameduck athletic director that is not allowed to run his own department.
C: Looming NCAA punishment that will take weeks or months to resolve.
Also, this is the time of year when a lot of programs are going to be hiring – it’s a seller’s market.
by danmarcel on Mar 21, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Plus...
an administration that says they will support the coach, then hangs him out to dry when they get blackmailed, including pushing the aforementioned puppet AD to sabotage the team right before their biggest game of the year.
Other than that, I’m sure they’ll be lining up at the door.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Your list is too good. Ouch.
Hey, bad guys. Look up in the sky. See the UAV? Nope? We see you. "Don't laze me, bro'!"
It's too bad
I liked watching Pearl’s UW-Milwaukee teams and cursed the day that Tennessee hired him. I was going to have to root against one of my favorite basketball coaches. He was good for the SEC, though, as he made Tennessee interesting and gave the conference another coach who was on the level of the best of any other league.
Ultimately, this was probably the inevitable conclusion. The NCAA cannot abide people who lie to them because it has no subpoena power. The only incentive it can give people for not lying to them is by wielding a big hammer against those who do.
Team Speed Kills -- SBNation's SEC Blog
If you're so inclined, follow me @Year2
Patience
They will. It’s just that everything with the NCAA takes a long time.
Team Speed Kills -- SBNation's SEC Blog
If you're so inclined, follow me @Year2
Technically Tressel didn't lie
He withheld information. I’m sure that’s the line he’s going to stress. Regardless hope they nail him hard.
I think Pearl will be hit harder than Tressel
but Ohio State will be hit harder than Tennessee
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Right
Not only is what Tressel did worse in that respect, but it made a fool of the NCAA with the way that the players were allowed to play in the bowl. I’m about 90% sure that Tressel won’t have his job once the case is closed, but it probably won’t get closed until after the 2011 season.
The 10% of doubt is based on my limited experience of visiting Columbus when my wife was in grad school there. Ohio State football is as much a religion in Ohio as SEC football is in the South, and they will do absolutely anything to keep Tressel around. Just cross reference Gordon Gee’s attitude about athletics while at Vandy versus today at OSU. Gee’s no fool; he knows that half the fan base would trade the school’s accredidation for football success if given the option. Gee will probably fight harder for Tressel than Cheek did for Pearl, but ultimately, I think the NCAA will level too many penalties on Tressel for the school to keep him.
Team Speed Kills -- SBNation's SEC Blog
If you're so inclined, follow me @Year2
Technically...
withholding information is the same as lying, if you sign a piece of paper which states that you have no information about violations being committed. Which he did. And gained from it. A LOT.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Sin of omission. Just as bad as a sin of commission.
Hey, bad guys. Look up in the sky. See the UAV? Nope? We see you. "Don't laze me, bro'!"
I brought this up in another thread, but it bears repeating:
You can say goodbye to self imposed penalties. What’s the point?
Perception
which is what way too much of this is about. Jimmy Cheek is so concerned about perception that he’ll trade a better reality with Pearl, in my opinion.
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
So we take the PR hit for the past 6 months
and then still fire him? Worst of both worlds. Chancellor Cheek can kiss my shiny metal [fulmerized].
I'm looking forward to Hamilton getting strung out for the next three months.
Make your own joke.
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Totally.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Reactions
Twitter Round up courtesy of Sportcasm
My favorite?
Easy answer to Tennessee’s problems:#PATSUMMITCOACHESEVERYTHING
BloodSpite
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football." John Heisman
by Joseph Stanley on Mar 21, 2011 4:13 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
On Bruce's facebook page, which is as close to an official statement as we're getting right now:
“As many of you know, I have been fired as head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers. This really does not come as a surprise to me, but my emotions are getting the best of me. This is perhaps the saddest day in my life. I loved everything about Tennessee, Knoxville, and the Volunteers. These were the best years of my life!”
Devils Advocate
While I agree the bed he lies in is of his own making it still is a sad thing to watch.
Hero’s with feet of clay and all that.
As fans its rarely easy. As a Tennessee fan, for the last 5 year it has been practically never easy.
I will stand by my own reasoning’s for saying Pearl should go. I will also say, however, that once again the school is handling the dismissal of a coach that performed almost flawlessly on the court, in a ham handed, awkward and very unprofessional fashion.
BloodSpite
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football." John Heisman
by Joseph Stanley on Mar 21, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep....
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
You know...
I saw that, and although everything on there is nice and everything, I have a feeling that’s a fake page; it just doesn’t look right. Also, this is a personal page; he has an official page here.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
My take on Pearl and UT Basketball
I don’t understand all the wailing and nashing of teath, the sack cloth and ashes attitude. Yes it is a sad day, but what Bruce showed us, nay PROVED to us is that Tennessee Basketball CAN BE successful!!!!
That’s why I’m reasonably positive regardless of the dissappointment of Bruce’s demise.
Folks, we can win here. We can beat Memphis and Kentucky. We can make regular appearances in the NCAA tourney. How do I know? Bruce showed us!!!
Now get your cryin’ out then cheer up!
by phil g on Mar 21, 2011 4:15 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I bet...
you’re everyone’s favorite funeral attendee.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
by sddbaker on Mar 21, 2011 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Now find another Bruce Pearl.
For that matter, find me coaches who have gone to 6 straight sweet sixteens in the past 6 years. Can you do that? Cause I know there’s a lot of promises, but we’re giving away the proven for the unknown. And the unknown is scary, and as much as we want to think Bruce made us a basketball school we’ve still only been to one Elite Eight ever.
______________________________________________
That's (333333jorkland)^2 and $$$$$$$$immons to you, chump.
I bet you're super fun to have around...
at funerals. Those grieving people must love you.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Since I don't believe in magic...
I don’t think any of us doubted that yeah, it was certainly possible for UT basketball to be successful. The guy didn’t break some sort of curse, we had even been successful before to a lesser degree under several coaches.
But this isn’t a matter of success, this is finding a coach that takes us to the NCAA tournament literally every single year… and still finds enough time to promote the program and show his appreciation to the fans, and not in a Fulmer soundbite way… but in a getting off his ass and handing out pizza to students waiting, or giving a speech in the middle of the lunch rush in the Student Center, or taking the team up into the stands after games.
Suspension or not, there isn’t a single coach in the country I’d rather have at Tennessee than Bruce Pearl.
Good luck
Not even national championship-winning coaches like Boeheim, Calhoun, Roy Williams, and Donovan have made the tournament every single season. Want to go dancing every year without fail? Your choices are Tom Izzo or Mike Krzyzewski. Good luck.
The point is, that’s pretty much an impossible standard. Pearl was going to miss the tournament at some point had he not lost the job now. The best hope is to throw a ton of cash at a younger guy like Brad Stevens, Buzz Williams, or Anthony Grant.
Team Speed Kills -- SBNation's SEC Blog
If you're so inclined, follow me @Year2
Not likely to be 7
Given the roster issues next year, I would have been shocked if Pearl got that team back to NCAA. Guess we’ll never know now.
It appeared that Pearl was headed for a couple of tough seasons after this year. Would have been interesting to see the level of support had he gone the next two without an NCAA appearance.
His coaching tactics and recruiting issues were starting to catch up with him.
Pearl
Would have had Hopson and Tobias next year. Just to say it.
______________________________________________
That's (333333jorkland)^2 and $$$$$$$$immons to you, chump.
What don't you wait...
a few days to trash him. We don’t want to hear it right now.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
by sddbaker on Mar 21, 2011 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
The Rock
BloodSpite
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football." John Heisman
by Joseph Stanley on Mar 21, 2011 4:18 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Sorry to hear it, guys (and girls).
Pearl did an incredible job on Rocky Top and was a fun guy to watch (and to dislike). I know a lot of people gave him grief about the orange jacket, but I respected it because he only did it for Vandy and UK. He took a program that was nothing and immediately breathed life into it by the jacket alone. He gave the guys something to rally around and got them to believe in themselves early on in his time there, and that’s indicative of a good coach who knows how to motivate teenagers and college kids. I’ll miss seeing Pearl on the sideline when the Dawgs play UT, because it meant something to beat a Bruce Pearl coached team.
Good luck in the coaching search. As a Georgia guy, we’ve lived through a similar situation with Harrick. It will get better. The biggest thing now is to stay behind the guys. Pearl made a lot of folks basketball fans at Tennessee, so don’t bail on the players now that Pearl’s gone. They need your support. Hopefully, you’ll escape any major NCAA sanctions, and with what Bruce Pearl has shown you can do at Tennessee, I think y’all will be able to pull a pretty good coach and get back on track. Again, good luck.
Sincerely appreciate the positive comments
but VolBrian (who hates Georgia with all his being) would say that “hail” is misspelled in your screen name….
Hey, bad guys. Look up in the sky. See the UAV? Nope? We see you. "Don't laze me, bro'!"
Thanks
and what Bobo said is correct twice, but thanks.
"I condone fun things" ~~ Cortland Finnegan
Hello ladies. Look at your man, now back to me, now back at your man, now back to me. Sadly, he isn't me.
excuse me, memphispete
lots of comments popping up at once
"I condone fun things" ~~ Cortland Finnegan
Hello ladies. Look at your man, now back to me, now back at your man, now back to me. Sadly, he isn't me.
Former players are ...
Just getting well…..I’ll let you decide.
Eric Berry is decidedly unimpressed with the administrations decision. To say the least.
BloodSpite
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football." John Heisman
Erik Ainge publicly pulled his support too...
and is basically asking the big donors to stop until Cheek is out.
Emotions are running really hot.
Yeah
Just saw that as well.
BloodSpite
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football." John Heisman
by Joseph Stanley on Mar 21, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
.
Get 'em.
you are NOT a beautiful or unique snowflake.
Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010
One thing is very evident
… Coach Pearl is going to have a lot of supporters from afar, when he returns to the college coaching ranks. His support through this is off the charts.
Eric Berry’s comment on Twitter was really strong, I think. He said he would always be a Pearl fan, no matter where he goes. He replied then, to someone who asked: “Even Alabama?”
His reply: “… even Alabama. Bruce is one of the most genuine coaches I’ve met. It’s deeper than sports.”
And he’s right. If Bruce Pearl coaches at Alabama, I’ll root for him every night other than when he coaches against the Vols. And even then I won’t feel too bad if he wins, because I genuinely respect Coach Pearl and what he’s done for the Volunteer program.
My affection...
and I suspect a lot of folks feel the same way, extends well beyond the basketball court itself. While Fulmer was busy trying to turn the fans into the them in “us vs. them”, Pearl was going above and beyond the call of duty every single day that I saw him.
I actually care about him as an individual in a way that goes far beyond UT athletics.
I never had the chance to talk to CBP...
but I did talk to his mom and dad after the Elite Eight game last year. I was telling them how lucky Tennessee fans felt to have Bruce as their coach. They told me about 4 times “You know, he really loves it here, he really, really does…”. I think it was obvious that he did, too. The other day on Twitter, Stephen Pearl said that his Dad wanted to retire as the coach of Tennessee.
At every game I’ve been to, he has always acknowledged the fans. Also, after every one of those games, I have watched him sign countless autographs and pose for pictures with everyone who asked.
John Pennington on Mr. SEC today said that UT fans should stop spinning their desire to keep Pearl as based on anything besides winning. Maybe that’s true, but maybe Mr. Pennington doesn’t realize there’s more than one way to be a winner.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
John Pennington is a tool
If he said the sky was blue, I;d go out and check. I don’t think I’ve agreed with anything he’s ever said, ever.
Would love to hear a summary of what is said.
______________________________________________
That's (333333jorkland)^2 and $$$$$$$$immons to you, chump.
Spent most of the time talking about how bad he felt for the families of the assistant coaches
They asked him to talk about the transition period when Buzz left, and he was pretty gracious, but talked about how most of the players on that team were ready for a new opportunity. Will not be the case here.
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions
This has me really really upset at this University and Athletic Department
And I am not sure how long it will take me to get over it.
Upset is an understatement. Cheek should go as his integrity is suspect, and it doesn’t really matter how much good the Florida native has done for Tennessee in the past. He, nor Hamilton it seems, can be trusted. Further more, our voice as Tennessee fans was completed ignored. How do we get our voice heard? I heard on Sports Animal to make phone calls, emails, and write letters. Been there,done that. It didn’t matter. I only see two ways that really count: votes (Want to be the next governor?) and money.
Also, even though some people don’t like the word “blackmail” used with the NCAA, I like it just fine. The NCAA has way too much power and use it like a tyrant believing he is a god.
by My Vol View on Mar 21, 2011 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I feel sick
“homesick” sick.
Bruce is a once in a generation coach. We will not find another coach who will paint their chest orange to attend lady vols games, another coach who will go absolutely ham ala shirt removal with his players after a win, another coach to do as much good in the community. we won’t find another coach who will rep Tennessee so consistently and with true emotion. Today is a really, really bad day for just about everyone involved in this. Today is just…awful. I’m ready to cheer on two teams now: the Vols and whoever Bruce is coaching.
and that other team
could be the Kentucky Wildcats and I would not even blink
Houston Fancher will be the interim coach
according to KNS – Fancher wasn’t on staff when the BBQ happened, was at Appy State until 2009 and then came on as video coordinator here
VolQuest reporting
that incoming freshman Kevin Ware has already sent in his request to be released from his scholarship – link here ($)
I'm so totally shocked to hear this.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
think we'll grant it?
I imagine not, as Hamilton never has in the past (see: Tyler Smith, Kiffin’s EE’s)
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I think we should ask them to wait until we make a hire
and give them a chance to meet each other. And then if he still wants it, we grant it.
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
this is what I would tend to say as well
But I don’t know if that’s what we’ll do. “commit to a school” sound familiar? It’s definitely a tricky situation.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Hard to swallow, but the right move
We’ll be back. If only Bruce had realized that the coverup is always worse than the crime, we’d still be enjoying his UT tenure (and quite possibly doing so in the Sweet Sixteen). He will be missed.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 6:08 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Regarding "winningest era"
are we talking about March Madness? I was under the impression that Pearl’s winning percentage was only fourth highest among UT coaches.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 6:08 PM EDT reply actions
Winning percentage is a tricky thing in college basketball
because Jerry Green has a hire winning percentage than Pearl. “Winningest” to me would be things we hang banners for.
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
you can see what's on my mind
higher, not hire
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
so like the Elite Eight
I can roll with that. Just trying to clarify.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Records...
Zora Clevenger(1911-1916) – .781
Bruce Pearl(2005-2011) – .762
John Mauer(1938-1947) – .756
Ray Means(1962-1977) – .713
Jerry Green(1997-2001) – .712
Blair Guillion(1935-1938) – .712
John Bender(1916-1922) – .659
Don DeVoe(1978-1989) – .598
Buzz Peterson(2002-2005) – .508
Kevin O’Neill(1994-1997) – .434
Wade Houston(1990-1994) – .419
There are more coaches, but I covered the important ones
and before anyone goes nuts...
a LOT of those Clevenger games were over local YMCA teams and crap like the Kiwanis Club
this list is mistake
Pearl’s winning percentage is 70.3%. Below Jerry Green.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions
mistaken*
(caveat: unless Wikipedia is mistaken)
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions
When you add the recruits jumping ship....
to statements like these:
"Of course, I want to play for Coach Pearl next year, but he’s uncertain if he’s going to be here," said mercurial freshman guard Jordan McRae, whose special skills on the court have been somewhat stunted by his maturation process — a fairly common issue with 18-year-old boys.
"I’ll just have to talk to my parents and see what goes on," McRae continued. "Hopefully, I’ll be a Vol next year, but if not, we’ve got to wait and see how things play out. You’ve got to wait and see everything out and see what happens.
"Right now, I’m hoping that (Pearl) comes back. If he does, then I’ll be a Vol next year."
Trae Golden, a freshman who was UT’s No. 2 point guard this season, made similar remarks.
"I think anybody who comes in and plays for Coach Pearl, if he doesn’t know he’s going to be back, it kind of puts a (question) in your mind if you’re going to be back or not," Golden said. "If he’s the coach, I’m definitely going to be back. But if not, I don’t know. I’ve just got to talk to my family, and we’ve got to discuss things.
"Right now, I just have to talk to my family, and we’re going to have to decide about everything. But I honestly don’t know if I’m going to be back at Tennessee or not."
Players seemed frustrated by the uncertainty.
McRae said he expected to hear the news "how everybody else does — from ESPN."
"It’s a question mark for everybody," McRae said.
Golden didn’t have a clue, either.
"To be totally honest, I have no idea," Golden said. "I don’t know how the whole NCAA works or what (UT men’s athletic director) Michael Hamilton is thinking, but my anticipation is to just wait it out and see everything, how it goes.
"Coach just told us, basically, that he doesn’t know his status for next year, and he just told us that straight-up. That’s Coach Pearl. He’s going to tell you straight-up, and that’s what he said to us."
Renaldo Woolridge’s situation was different from other teammates. Woolridge, a former four-star signee from Los Angeles, played very little as a junior — though he claims he could receive a redshirt from this season.
Asked what he’d do if Pearl left, Woolridge said, "I don’t know yet."
Gee, I’m really glad we’re starting out with a clean slate, right? Right?
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
hopefully we'll hire someone these guys want to play for
If not, we’ll just have to be glad that basketball recruiting fixes things faster than football recruiting (since more freshmen can seriously contribute).
Next year might be a struggle, but things were gonna get a little rough before they got better no matter what we did.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Right.
So why not have one of the best coaches in the business waiting for us at the the end of the struggles (and I’m pretty certain it will be more than just next year).
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Because we can likely significantly shorten our struggles
By finding a very good coach now instead of waiting a couple years for one. It’s not just the sacrificing two years, it’s that the roster after those two years would be significantly worse than it will be next year (because Pearl can’t recruit while he’s suspended). The trick now is just finding a very good coach.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Again
How is all this better than taking our NCAA lumps and keeping Coach Pearl? This is a huge step backwards for the basketball program. Could we have more success in the next few years with a new coach than if we kept CBP and took the NCAA hammer to the face? Maybe, but it would require a lot of luck in landing the right coach, and luck is not something that has been in abundance in Knoxville the past 5+ years.
Again: FIre Mike Hamilton. This is not because of any animosity I have against him (anymore), but what is the point of having an athletic director that is not allowed by the university to direct the athletic program?
you can't say this until after we make a hire
If it’s terrible, this is a huge step back for the program and is probably not better than taking our lumps. If it’s good, then it’s better than taking our lumps. Right now, we don’t know. Just hoping for the best. I like the risk of the coaching market better than the risk of the NCAA’s caprice.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I can say with 95% certainty...
that a one or even two year suspension of Pearl, with Tony Jones coaching interim, and retaining what talent we have will be significantly better in the end than whatever mess we just dug ourselves into.
We’re being forced to hire a coach with an NCAA hearing looming in June with the threat of a large part of UT’s roster transferring and at least one signee wanting out already.
The only available coach that I honestly think compares favorably to Pearl is Brad Stevens, and he’s turned down schools in much better shape than we are at this point in time.
There seems to be this assumption that by removing Pearl we’ve placated the NCAA… but Wes Rucker disagrees, and I’m under a pretty big suspicion that the scope of this is payback for Lane Kiffin’s public outbursts not being met with termination by the UTAD. We’re still staring down the barrel of what the NCAA has termed, 6 major violations… without or without CBP. We’re going to be completely screwed if we get a multi-year postseason ban and hire a coach who turns out to be mediocre.
and I'd like to point out...
that none of the 6 major violations is major in any classical sense, it’s a handful of phone calls, the cookout, and the bump violation that are all being classified as major by the NCAA
denial isn't just a river in Egypt
You are correct as far as that goes, where it all went pear shaped is when Pearl panicked and tried to it up and lied to the NCAA. That was blood in the water for the NCAA sharks who apparently harbored some ill feeling towards Bruce from prior experiences.
yeah, this is where we differ
I don’t see us staring down major sanctions anymore, nothing like we would’ve if we’d kept Pearl. Hence, I still see us as being an attractive job, quite possibly the most attractive on the market.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
This has definitely been floating around in my head as a "worst case scenario" all afternoon
But if you believe the rumor that the NCAA essentially forced our hand by saying “Lose him and survive, keep him and die,” then I would hope they’d follow through on that…though I suppose there are no guarantees.
Well, isn't this an interesting little story....
Apparently Hamilton was reassuring everyone as recently as March 6 that Bruce would be back. Doesn’t really fit it with the time line of events I’ve been seeing…. And also doesn’t go over well with Ware. Gee, maybe he would be more likely to stay if he had been told the TRUTH.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
HIde the mattresses! per Wes Rucker
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
so we're losing a great coach, another recruiting class, and any sense of stability that Pearl brought with him
what did we gain? the peace of mind that we fired a liar? I don’t think I’ve ever been as mad with the athletic department as I am right now. even when they fired Fulmer, they could’ve used the whole “lack of production, time for a change” excuse, but this was just flat out “the NCAA thinks you’re a terrible person and shouldn’t be allowed to coach for the next two years, take your services elsewhere”
UT basketball has lost tons of fans after this. maybe that’s unfair to the players, but it’s one of the consequences that comes with firing the most successful and beloved coach the program has ever had because he lied about a bar-b-que and the NCAA has you on a short leash.
Get 'em.
you are NOT a beautiful or unique snowflake.
Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010
there is no sense of stability with a coach serving a long suspension and an interim running the team
also, I imagine recruiting would be pretty awful during the suspension, so we’d lose as much or more in recruiting.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not thinking with my rational side right now
I’m pissed man, freakin pissed.
Get 'em.
you are NOT a beautiful or unique snowflake.
Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010
by danielreese05 on Mar 21, 2011 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I understand
I guess I just went ahead and made peace with this decision about a month ago
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
That about sums it up, yes.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Someone call this group a Wahhhhhhhbulance
Look, UT didn’t get up one fine morning and decide they just didn’t like the way Bruce looked in an orange blazer.
Bruce brought some NCAA baggage with him and he needed to fly straight, but he didn’t. But that wasn’t the worst of it, he decided to lie and then tried a very sleezy tactice of trying to get a recruit and family to lie on his behalf. This mind boggling action took what would have likely been some 2nd degree violations into full on ‘ethical conduct’ territory.
This left UT with no good choice but to seperate from Bruce. The NCAA wants themselves some Bruce scalp and they were going to get it or else we’d all be real miserable about our UT basketball the next 2-3 years.
This is TOTALLY ON BRUCE!!!! Please reread. Any anger should be directed at him for his stupid indiscretion.
Stop the kavetching. This isn’t a funeral for UT basketball though it is for a beloved coach who took us places we hadn’t been before.
We’ll be back.
you disagree with the facts
Or simply struggling with the reality of it all?
No...
I bite my tongue all the time to attempt to keep the debate civil here, because I respect the guys who operate it. It just bugs the shit out of me when other people don’t attempt to do the same and instead resort to the mad ravings of some random 4channer
Action, flag, inappropriate.
Why don’t you just put a sock in it and get lost for at least a day or two. Unless, of course, your goal is just to upset people who are already upset — then you should stick around and keep up your useless drivel.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
I agree with most of this
But the tone (particularly in the title) is probably not what’s good right now. Don’t make fun of folks who are upset. It’s a tough day. One day, unless we screw up the new hire, we’ll all realize it was for the best. But today, emotions can be high.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
appologies
Will back down. Didn’t mean to cause trouble.
Appreciate it, seriously
I’d say that one of the nicer things about RTT is everybody trying to keep the discussion civil, intelligent and non-flamish (and this is me saying this)
I picked the wrong day to stop sniffing glue.
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Mar 21, 2011 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Not real clear at this point how much say Hamilton had over any of this
(Though I, for one, still want his head on a pike)
Apparently Cheek said the same thing...
back in November, at least according to ESPN
This would have been after the admin knew of the bump
Cheek definitely said the same
on November 19
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions
the timeline I've been hearing
was that the admin found out about the bump in early December.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions
hrmm
Wonder what the chances are he said these things thinking that he wouldn’t have to be around to justify them as well?
BloodSpite
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football." John Heisman
by Joseph Stanley on Mar 21, 2011 7:57 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Ouch
This hurts y’all. I started UT under the Buzzball era, and Pearl came in my (super) senior year. He gave us hope when our football team had just had its first losing record in 17 years (think about that for a second), and the best years of our Tennessee Basketball Fandom Lives.
Part of me is mad at him for doing this to us, but I’m mostly sad to see him go.
Dooley-isms Archiving the Genius.
I agree with everything.
Bruce came in my junior year. Two years of Buzz-ball made me hungry for anything different. Six years of Pearlfection? Makes me not want anything else.
Sad day.
Ahh yes....
they are dropping like flies…..
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Jones is by far the bigger hit
you also have to cast a nervous eye towards the underclassmen on this team – Cam Tatum isn’t going to transfer, but what about Jordan McRae and Trae Golden?
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Indeed....
see the quote above. They sound quite unsure about their chances of staying with Pearl gone.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Wasn't Bruce supposedly in all this trouble...
for lying? But it’s okay for everyone else in the administration to lie? Neat.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Must concur here
Admins should be held accountable
by GhostDance on Mar 21, 2011 8:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
My 80 & 85 year old grandparents just called from Memphis
and asked if I would post here that they, as donors and season ticket holders, voice their displeasure. Done.
They actually live in Covington in Tipton County, where life is much better
I just always use “Memphis” for the general area since most have never heard of Covington.
by Will Shelton on Mar 21, 2011 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I was thinking
Maybe Larry Brown
BloodSpite
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football." John Heisman
by Joseph Stanley on Mar 21, 2011 7:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I heard today he was wanting to get back to coaching.
Anderson from Missouri would be a great fit for you guys too. Good luck, as a Cats fan, I will miss Coach Pearl too. I hated going against him, but respected his love for UT basketball.
BLUE!!! Is there any other color?
Do not want Anderson
Of the names I’ve heard and are familiar with, I like Brown, Frank, Mooney, Marshall, and Stevens the most.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I have a difficult time
…thinking that any top-flight coach will want to take this job and the controversy (and potential future punishments) swirling around the program.
Dooley-isms Archiving the Genius.
by kingofzachland on Mar 21, 2011 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I disagree
Tennessee is the best job on the market right now. We have money, we have facilities, and we just got rid of our NCAA problem. I doubt we’ll have any problem assuring candidates that they won’t be seriously hampered by whatever happens this summer.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
This statement
was also tempered by the fact that Hamilton, seemingly, had such difficulty landing a top-flight coach for our far-more-prestigious football program. Muschamp very publically rebuffed our advances, only to bolt for Florida a year later. I’m not saying that Muschamp would end up being a better fit for Tennessee, but I do question Hamilton’s ability to bring in the best coaches to our institution.
Dooley-isms Archiving the Genius.
by kingofzachland on Mar 21, 2011 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions
completely different situation with football
We’re at the beginning of hiring season right now. We weren’t in hiring season at all with Dooley. The better comparison is what it would’ve been like if we’d waited until June, saw the penalties, fired Pearl, and then tried to find a new coach.
Also, the basketball program has a lot more recent success than the football program and plays in a much weaker conference (Bama and Florida had won the last two titles. SEC basketball. . . not so much).
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Completely different, yes.
But I still feel my questions are valid. I hope we do hit another homerun with our next coach, but that is difficult even under the best of circumstances. Clearly, these are not the best of circumstances.
Dooley-isms Archiving the Genius.
by kingofzachland on Mar 21, 2011 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions
the questions are valid
and the only thing that worries me is that my trust in Hamilton is something short of complete. The NCAA stuff doesn’t bother me, I think everybody expects it’ll stick to Pearl, and new coaches aren’t going to be worried. Obviously, we have great facilities, deep pockets, and recent success. That makes us attractive. Just as long as Hamilton doesn’t screw it up, I think we should be alright.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Believe me,
I hope you’re right!
Dooley-isms Archiving the Genius.
by kingofzachland on Mar 21, 2011 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Totally Unrelated
But, looks like Liverpool will be playing an exhibition match vs. FC Seoul! SWEEEEETTTT!!!
Sorry if that does nothing for my fellow Vol fans, but I know I_S would be interested.
Dooley-isms Archiving the Genius.
by kingofzachland on Mar 21, 2011 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions
that sounds pretty awesome
It’s also looking like Spain will play the USA in Foxborough, MA in June. Which also sounds awesome.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions
My Vote is for Brown
Not many folks have both NCAA and NBA Championships as well as already being in the Hall of Fame.
I think would be an excellent pick to restore some pride in a program that just had its heart cut out, as well as possibly keep the momentum Pearl brought to the system as well
BloodSpite
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football." John Heisman
Sorry to hear this guys
Duck fan here, and I got to know a lot of you guys as our football teams met up this year, and after doing so, I think I’ve found a resident school in the SEC I like to root for.
Having gone through a coaching change ourselves last year in basketball, and also losing the winningest coach in school history, we know a little something about what you guys are going through. UT is proud institution with a rabid supportive fanbase and I’m positive you’ll have no trouble whatsoever finding a replacement.
I know it hurts, it’s confusing, you don’t know who to support or who is right in this situations right now (coach, AD, school, fans, etc). All I can say is stick with your school. Have faith you’ll be back on top and support whomever the University decides to bring in as a replacement. The players and the program need that.
Go Vols and Go Ducks.
Lavender double U's have no soul
Addicted to Quack
by Matt Daddy on Mar 21, 2011 8:20 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Good to see you again Matt
And thanks for the words.
Very appreciated around here I think its safe to say
BloodSpite
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died as a small boy than to fumble this football." John Heisman
by Joseph Stanley on Mar 21, 2011 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions
What is going on with the higher-ups???
What in the hell is up with the chuck-and-duck from Hamilton and Cheek on this? Even if they didn’t mean for this to come out today (which I find hard to believe due to the matter-of-fact way in which it did), it did, so you have to change your plans, don’t you? If you just leave it out there and say nothing about it, people can make up any narrative they want. You’ve gotta get something out there.
I’m still not entirely sure what I think about the whole thing. I’m really saddened by the whole thing, but I don’t think we had a choice if Pearl was gonna be suspended for a year or more. But regardless, this whole thing has been handled really crappily thus far.
by nirwin on Mar 21, 2011 8:22 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Bobby Maze, poet:
“A crime is a crime but taking a Snickers bar ain’t like robbing a bank.”
More good stuff from Maze via Scout, including blaming Ohio State for not taking their beating like men.
You go, Bobby!
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
SEC will miss Coach Pearl
As a UK fan, I have great respect for Bruce Pearl and will miss seeing him in the SEC. He always seemed like an enthusiastic players’ coach with a positive attitude. I think it is a crying shame that he did not get more consideration from the UT administration. He always gave us a run for our money. Big mistake, Tennessee!
by Big Blue President on Mar 21, 2011 9:28 PM EDT reply actions
Hey guys, don't fire Cheek just yet.
He actually seems like he’s doing some good stuff with academics, which is more important (especially to me as a student). That might be why he was so hands-on with this Bruce Pearl thing. He seems to be really conscious about issues of the university’s reputation.
UT knew or should have known...
Good riddance! Bruce’s past is anything but clean. If he were such a great coach why did it take so long for him to make back to division 1? Could it be he has had a truth telling problem in the past?
I encourage all who are interested to read The following article from a central IL sports editor:
http://www.herald-review.com/app/blogs/marktupper/?p=938
Bottom line… UT knew the chance they were taking when they hired him so now they have to live with the consequ
yeah, but the consequences are good
so I have no problem living with them. The program is in a much better place now than it was six years ago. The roster is undoubtedly worse, but the national reputation and prestige of the job is lightyears ahead.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 21, 2011 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
He's an Illinois fan
Listening to him about Pearl is like listening to a Georgia fan about Urban Meyer or a USC fan about anything. You’re going to get nothing but vitriolic, anger-filled diatribes. The reason it took him so long to get back to Division I is he was unofficially blacklisted in the coaching profession. He ratted on another coach, and that’s not okay.
"I don't drink beer, I'm an athlete" - Peter Moylan
by Zach Towery on Mar 21, 2011 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
"Nay! The Sanhedrin has spoken...
Turn him over to the Romans." Those were my first thoughts this morning looking in the mirror, brushing my teeth. I fought the image, knowing Pearl’s guilt and my Saviour’s innocence, and while I would still refuse the image consciously, there are certainly similarities to the passion.
You wouldn't be implying, that was a little melodramatic, eh? :-)
Sorry, i just had to get that off my chest. I have been accused of a complex or two.
UK Fan Here
Just kinda dropping in to wish you all the best of luck on your coaching search. The only real mistake Pearl made was the lying, and it’s sad to see that one little detail destroy what you guys had going. I know your basketball program hasn’t been your strong point traditionally, so this can be a pretty big hit to you all, but you Vols fans gotta keep your heads up!
Unlike a lot of UK fans, I don’t hate UT or Pearl. I think what he did was wrong, sure, but only because he lied about what happened. The guy made the UK/UT rivalry fun because it wasn’t just another game to us any more. It got pretty stagnant there for a while before Bruce showed up. He was a passionate guy too, which helped. Obviously he was pretty charismatic. It’s obvious you guys adored him and I think to some extent even all those who claimed to hate him had to love him to an extent.
We’ve had some pretty down times at UK but we bounced back, as will the Vols. It’s been proven now that a coach can come to UT and recruit and play with the best of them, so getting a decent coach shouldn’t be too much of a hard task. I know you guys can be as rabid as us Cat fans can be at times, so I’m sure fan support won’t be tough to get.
I’m sure that UT will find a good coach and be back in no time.
Also, remember…you guys got us in football ever year. :( lol
should have stood by our man
even if it was 2 years, that’s 2 years out of a potential 20-25 year run at UT.
this isn’t a very attractive job, folks, regardless of what Bruce has done. we have virtually no safe, natural recruiting turf, a shaky-at-best AD, and the NCAA’s stink eye, along with a roster that’s about to be decimated by transfers and NBA jumps. throw in the unenviable task of trying to fill Pearl’s shoes with the fan base and I can think of few reasons that a desirable coach with other good options would pick Tennessee.
there’s a reason it took this long to hire a truly great coach and ambassador for this program. to expect 2 in a row would be the height of unrealistic optimism bordering on delusion. this is simply a tough university at which to achieve meaningful, lasting success in Bball. with tobacco road to the east, Vandy and Memphis to the west, UK to the north, and GA/GA Tech to the South, our coach has to fight for every high level commitment, and do so nationally, and with regular success. even Pearl still hadn’t quite mastered the national recruiting circuit yet (see: guard, point).
one bad hire (i.e. a hire that is less successful than bruce) is going to be worse in the long run than even a 2 year ban, because it will eat away 3-4 seasons and we still won’t have a coach who can win. when the time came to circle the wagons and raise a flag of defiance, we went straight to the surrender flag. i couldn’t be more disappointed in the University of Tennessee.
FIRE MIKE HAMILTON!
The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.
by hal41605 on Mar 22, 2011 8:11 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I disagree with your claim that the job isn't attractive
We’ve been winning, we play in a league that’s weak enough to win and strong enough to get national respect for doing so, we have great facilities and will pay handsomely.
Providence is in the meat-grinder of the Big East.
Missouri’s history is similar to ours, but their schedule is tougher and I don’t believe their pockets are as deep.
NC State will always be third in the Triangle to UNC and Duke.
Georgia Tech is the only job on the market that can compete with UT right now, and that’s only because of their recruiting base. They don’t have the money, the facilities, or the recent success of UT.
We can do well for ourselves. It remains to be seen whether or not we will, but we can. GO VOLS!
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 22, 2011 8:17 AM EDT up reply actions
the recruiting base (and the lack thereof) is what matters most to desirable coaches
bruce’s infinite enthusiasm, passion, and drive for success are what made him successful here in ways that no one else has ever been. Bruce is just superlative that way. i disagree with your claim that it is in any way logical to expect back to back home run hires.
if im a coach with options, i see a program in turmoil, an annual dogfight on the national recruiting trail, a decimated roster, total instability @ AD, and a scholarship handicap for at least a year or two.
all the sparkly facilities in the world wont cover up the fact that national relevance in Bball is damn hard to come by in Knoxville. money won’t buy wins either. so unless you can find another pearl-esque diamond in the rough whose abilities far exceed their career opportunities for some odd reason, we just blew it.
we waited this long for the program to matter. 1 or 2 more years would have been easy for me to stomach if i knew our guy would be waiting for us at the end of the tunnel. one bad hire is far worse for the program than eating a 2 year show/cause and keeping pearl in the long run.
so you have faith that this shattered, broken athletic dept. can get their act together and hire the next bruce pearl in the next month or so? optimism bordering on delusion.
FIRE MIKE HAMILTON!
The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.
next month or so?
I’d say next week. Or less. We’ve known for months that this was a possibility, we ought to have a pretty good idea of what we’re looking for. And Tennessee has a lot of selling points.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 22, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
an AD on the hot seat
awful recruiting geography
NCAA spotlight
the shadow of impending sanctions
the expectations and inevitable comparisons that come with following in the footsteps of our fan base’s fallen messiah
the annual SEC east dogfight w/UK, UF, VU
a super short leash with a twice burned athletic dept.
Pearl for Life.
The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.
I think people underrate our situation
The AD is staying around. The NCAA has come and done their thing. We’re not expecting much punishment, and the SEC East is nowhere near what people would be facing in other conferences.
Other than facilities, pluses include:
deep pockets
fan support (top twenty in attendance pretty much always, more since we’ve been winning)
proven (recent) ability to have success
a conference that’s respected but isn’t exactly a meat-grinder
all of these put us above either every job on the market or almost every job. Ability to recruit Atlanta isn’t anything special compared to other schools, but it still helps
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 22, 2011 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions
if they don't wait til the tourneys end
the program is in even worse hands than i suspect. lots of good coaches still playing ball.
Pearl for Life.
The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.
all they need to do is wait until the guys they want are gone
The final four may well be Matta, Donovan, K, and Self. We’re not getting any of those guys. Just need to wait for the end of the weekend.
by Incipient_Senescence on Mar 22, 2011 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Ticked off Hamilton should be Next!
Today is a sad day for me. I know Bruce made a mistake & thought Tenn. Had already punished him. The thing that has me pissed is if Tenn. Wanted to fire Coach Pearl they should have from day 1 when they found out about him breaking rules and miss leading NCAA. But don’t hold press conference and state that he is and will continue to be head coach at Tenn. I think they went about everything the wrong way. The reason I think Hamilton time should be over is he is the on who hired Pearl and if Pearl is so bad breaking the Rules there is a strike on Hamilton. The major beef is he hired Lane Kiffen also and well there’s another coach who broke the rules. So it seems as if the Athletic Director apparently don’t know how to do great background checks. Its his 2 hires that has Tenn. In the shape its in. I think Hamilton should have been fired before Pearl was. I just hate to think that Tenn. Men’s basketball might go back to the bottom of the SEC. Coach Pearl Was not only the greatest men’s coach Tenn. Ever had but he was a great member of the community helping with his charities. I just don’t think they will ever be able to replace Coach Pearl. I wish Pearl luck & hope he gets another coaching oppertunity because I think he’s a great coach & goods man.
by Rockytop4X4 on Mar 22, 2011 11:10 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
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