LATIMES - Knoxville, TN (Sports Network) - The University of Tennessee has reportedly fired men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported the news Monday. Pearl had been on the hot seat after the NCAA issued the school a letter of inquiry in September regarding potential recruiting violations. He also admitted to initially misleading NCAA investigators. In six seasons with the Volunteers, Pearl posted a record of 145-61 with six NCAA Tournament appearances. This year's squad opened with seven straight wins, but finished just 19-15 with a first-round loss to Michigan in the NCAA tourney.
Well, the writing was certainly on the wall even before Pearl and the Vols got woodshedded by the Wolverines. So frankly, I'm surprised they waited this long. The way the AD threw Pearl under the bus just a day before the NCAA tourney you could tell some major shake-ups were coming and personally this kinda seems like a desperate attempt by the AD to keep his own job. I think if you fire Pearl you fire the AD as well but that's just me. Anyway, it'll certainly be interesting to see if and when anyone takes a chance on Pearl. He definitely has the credentials, it's just a matter of can people get past his sleazeball, know-it-all persona. Hell, Sparty is probably ready to switch things up after there season melted down faster than a Japanese nuclear plant. Plus, you know they love dudes who play dress up. Match made in heaven?
PS - Izzo, you're always welcome in Ann Arbor. I'm sure Beilein would hook you up with an assistant's job or maybe some parent liaison bullshit where you just run back and forth to the concession stand and grab hotdogs for Tim Hardaway Sr.
Fire the AD?? I don't follow Tennessee or pretend to know anything about them, but I'm pretty sure you are only removing the AD for mistakes made involving the football team. Obviously he's made many in that category, "knox griffin" being one of many. But to remove him for anything basketball related just doesn't make sense. I give the AD props for making Tennessee men's hoops somewhat relevant again, considering he's got to compete with Pat's huge clapping camel toe scaring away all the brothas.
ReplyDeleteFor almost any SEC team you'd be right. But Kentucky and Tennessee are basketball schools. Unless of course Peyton has another younger brother.
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