A Vol fan wants to discuss Coach Pearl with ya'll

[Smokey]

First off, let me say that I'm a UT alum and diehard fan. Keeping a close eye on the UT coaching search it has become pretty apparent that Coach Pearl is one of our top two candidates.

Our current Athletic Director, Mike Hamilton, is much more of a basketball guy than our previous AD, Doug Dickey. Hamilton is determined to get our program headed in the right direction where we are considered an upper tier SEC team year after year. With Dickey, basketball was nothing more than a way to pass time until football spring practice starts. Hamilton however, will do whatever is necessary to awake this sleeping giant.

Now, why do most fans think Pearl is our #1 candidate? For many reasons. Our basketball program is in piss poor shape, and we need a coach that can do more than just coach. So here are some of the criteria Hamilton is looking for in a new coach:

1. A good track record of winning - - Pearl has this in his days at SIU and now at UWM - He has proven he can build a program that is a consistent winner. The last thing we want is a coach that has one really good season and gets the job. We need someone much more proven, and as I said above, Pearl's record speaks for itself.

2. The ability to connect with recruits - - This is very important with this hire, since we have one top 30 recruit signed and another top 30 recruit as a heavy lean. Also, next year, the class of 2006 is very deep with in-state talent. So it's critical that we get a coach that can come in and swing these kids to UT. I'm not sure what' Pearl's recruiting history is, but from what I've read he seems to be a tireless recruiter who always seems to outrecruit his fellow Horizon League coaches.

3. Someone who is a good marketer - - I'm not kidding myself, the UT basketball program will never be king on Rocky Top. Football always has been and always will be the king. But, let's not get carried away on the other end of the spectrum either. As successful as the Lady Vols are, a winning mens basketball program will easily be the second fiddle at UT. No questions ask. Now, our bball program has a lot of marketing weaknesses that our former coach Buzz blasted us about last week. And he was right. We desperately need our new coach to come in, be very personable, and able to sell our program. So far, everything I read about Pearl makes me think this guy would be great at this very thing.



Those are three things that Hamilton is really looking at in evaluating coaches, and Pearl seems to have all the characteristics that Hamilton is looking for. Plus, Ernie Grunfield, who is the most respected Vol in terms of basketball, was the one that recommended Pearl in the first place. So now, will UT get Pearl? Perhaps, and perhaps not. But I again have some reasons on why Pearl might jump ship to come down South.

1. Mike Hamilton - - As I've said, he's a basketball guy. He's no Doug Dickey, and he is flat out determined to right the wrongs of this program.

2. Money - - UT has one of the richest Athletic Departments in the nation, and Hamilton said he wouldn't be afraid to lay down $1.5 million for the right coach. And, that's not counting booster money.

3. Recruiting Pool - - As I said, we could easily get two top 30 recruits this year, and then 2006 is loaded with in-state talented. If a coach could come in and land some of those recruits, then it might not take long to lay a very solid foundation.

4. TBA - - Most Vol fans consider our 24,000 seat arena to be more of a neutral site to a home site. But, with a winner team, it will be easy to get 20,000 inside that place for every game making it Rupp-esque. (The poor man's version though).

5. Fulmer and Summitt - - Coming to UT Pearl wouldn't have as big of expectations as he would at a bball school such as Indiana. If he came to UT, he would have a great support staff in Fulmer and Summitt, and with the lower expectations means lower stress levels, and a greater opportunity for return if you are able to turn a pathetic program into a consistent winner. (As in, a large salary. Both Fulmer and Summitt are close to the tops of their profession in terms of pay).

6. Knoxville - - I've never been to Milwaukee, but I've heard good things about it. Is Knoxville Milwaukee? Ofcourse not, but it is a very nice place to live. Not too big, but not too small. It's a classic midsize city that all the amenities of a metropolitan, but the comforts of a small town.

7. UT - - If he came to UT, he would be at a large State school that is hands down #1 in the state. No more having to compete with UW-Madison, UW-GB, or Marquette for attention. UT is Tennessee.

8. Marketing Opportunity - - From the interviews and articles I've read with Pearl, he seems like a very articulate and very well spoken man. He might savor the chance to come to a down program and try to revive it both on and off the court.

9. Ernie Grunfield - - Not sure how well Grunfield and Pearl know each other, but Grunfield certainly thought enough of him to back him for the UT job. Maybe the feeling is mutual, and Grunfield is actively trying to recruit Pearl to UT; but who really knows.

10. SEC - - Unlike other power conference, Big East, ACC, etc; the SEC is relatively weak. The only given is UK, but other than that there are no dominant teams. Pearl might see this as an opportunity, meaning he'll have an easier time at competing for championships.




Overall, I don't know if Pearl is even UT's #1 candidate, much less if he would take the job. However, I would like some feedback from you all since you know him the best. Do you guys thing he would seriously consider UT? Do you guys think he would be a good fit for us based on what Hamilton is looking for in a coach? Do you guys think he would come if he was offered the job? And anything else you have to say.

Sorry for such a long first post, and go Panthers, beat the Illini. And THANKS for beating BAMA!!!

Smokey

PS. If Pearl needs some lessons on how to defend off the Illini fans, tell him to call Coach Fulmer. After cooperating with the NCAA, (like Pearl did in 89), on Bama cheating, they absolutely HATE him now. You should read about SEC media days last fall.

[dunzz]

Welcome,

first of all i would like to thank you for your insight and completness to your post. I love indepth posters. Even though some people dont like to read more than 200 words per post i find it very refreashing that you would take the time to do your research on Pearl.

Overall, I don't know if Pearl is even UT's #1 candidate, much less if he would take the job. However, I would like some feedback from you all since you know him the best. Do you guys thing he would seriously consider UT? Do you guys think he would be a good fit for us based on what Hamilton is looking for in a coach? Do you guys think he would come if he was offered the job? And anything else you have to say.


To your first question. I would say that BP would love to into the Big Ten for anything. He plays a very sexy style of up tempo basketball and he would be able to throw a huge wrench into the big tens slow physical aka ugly type of basketball. However, the SEC is not far away from what he would want.

Will he consider UT. Im sure he will put thought into this decision. Bruce looks forward to schools who want to build. With UT's deep pockets bruce would see that as room for much needed growth he believes each program should take on each year.

However, it is the south. and no offense to the south, but the south is more a soft spoken, christian way of doing things. and bruce is a east coast liberal jew. Not sure if he fits your bill. but it does seem odd does it not? Just my thought.

But the guy does know how to win. Which is what UT needs im guessing. BP has had 3 straight seasons with 20 or more wins. I believe his best quality would be to mold players. Bruce has picked up countless number of JUNCO players. Molded them into great players. HE has even found spots for players who struggle and gave them a successfull career and min. James Wright, and Jason McCoy are perfect examples. At the begining of the year not many people put faith in James including myself. But with James's determination and Pearl coaching James found a niche that everyone is proud of. Jason is also another case. Jason really doesnt fit in the low post position but Bruce tried him out in the high post and more along the perimeter and now i would say that Jason is one of our strongest defenders. The point is that bruce is a man who finds talent in players even when it seems theres no hope for a player.

Recruiting...... well thats tough to say. BRuce has left much of his recruiting to his assistant coaches. But he finds the talen out of JUNCO and this year Bruce was able to land some major talent in Walter Waters and Ryan Childress. The soon to be stars of the HL.

[PantherLou]

If everything else you say is true, I think Bruce would be a fool to pass up 1.5 million. And he is no fool, that's for sure.

If Tennessee wants him, they need to convince him that he can win there. IMO (and I sure don't know much about your program) I think Tennesse is a very difficult school to be a winner at. But that could change.

[pnthr30]

Welcome to the board smokey.

I must say, you present quite a solid case, I will definitely give you that! After reading your post, I am sold......haha Sounds like you are, indeed, a diehard fan who has their hands on the pulse of what is going on.

Given what you have said, specifically, the fact that you feel that Hamilton is such a basketball "guy"........I gotta think that given the opportunity, BP will take a long hard look at UT - will he take the job if offered........no one can answer that but BP, but IMO he would be foolish not to look closely at it. Obviously I would love to see him stay, but there would be no ill-will if he was to leave for a job such as this.

I am sure more people will weigh in on this topic, but it may not happen until after the game tomorrow.

On a side note, if UT wants one person who can wear the coach/recruiter/program marketer/etc. hat, I can't think of anyone better than BP........and besides that, he is a great guy (very likeable).

[Hack]

Coach Pearl sucks! You don't want him! Really ... you don't.

[PantherAlumBB]

I think he could do the things that Hamilton wants him to do although, to be honest, we really don't know if he could consistently recruit SEC-quality players. He's done wonders here, though. He's a great promoter but he's a very northeastern type of guy. I have no idea if that would work in Knoxville.

I think that if someone offers 1.5 mm, anyone would listen. That's a lot more than he gets now although I suspect that, if he stays, he's about to get a monster raise again.

But if the number isn't in the stratosphere, I don't know if it makes sense. UT hired Marquette's coach a few years back and look where he is now. If I'm Pearl, I think I might be looking for a destination job and I don't know if UT is it or if it makes it more likely for me to get there. I'd prefer IU (assuming that a Big 10 school would hire him) if Davis reads the not-so-subtle handwriting on the wall and takes your money - or someone else's.

But 1.5 mm might make all that moot. I'm not sure how I'd ever explain to my family that I turned that down.

[pnthr30]

Smokey, are there any other candidates that may not have been mentioned in the article? Just curious who else UT is looking at?

Lutz
Altman
BP
?

[nighthawk]

~Jedi Mind Trick~
He's not the coach you're looking for.

*waives hand*
He can go about his business. Move along.