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Post by Smokey on Mar 24, 2005 8:31:41 GMT -6
First Dana Altman of Creighton interviewed yesterday, and we have also contacted Mike Anderson of UAB.
From reading the tea leaves, it appears that we're waiting on you guys to lose so we can talk to Coach Pearl. As of now, I get the drift that Pearl and Altman are our top two candidates. Lutz seems to be a back-up plan, and Anderson seems to be a courtesy interview.
As for Bob Knight, many UT fans in the "know" said last week that he was a done deal. However, as more and more reports come out, it now seems that Knight is a longshot at best; it appears that his son Pat is the one pushing him, and I doubt our Administration would go as far as guaranteeing Pat the future head coaching position just to lure his dad here.
As for us UT fans, the majority are getting behind Coach Pearl. After learning more about him and hearing him on both Jim Rome and PTI, most of us are thrilled with the possibility of landing him. He's reminding most old Vol fans of Ray Mears, and he seems to be the exact type of coach we need to re-energize our program.
Now, as I asked yesterday, would he come? A lot of you thought he might, but wasn't sure if he would be a good fit in the South. First, Knoxville and East Tennessee is far from being the "deep" South that is often portrayed on TV. Remember, during the Civil War, East Tennessee was pro-Union. So, Knoxville certainly isn't not Birmingham or Athens, or even Nashville or Memphis for that matter.
With that said, Knoxville is still very conservative and Bible-belt oriented. So would Pearl be a good fit? I think he would be, if he can last 9 years at SIU, then he can do it in Knoxville at UT. Afterall, Knoxville probably is a lot closer culturally to a Bloomington, IN or a Iowa City, IA than to most other Southern cities. (Knoxville is a HUGE college town, that might play a big factor since Pearl will know the whole town revolves around UT).
Anyway, most of us Vols are excited about Pearl, I just hope we aren't getting our hopes up about him only to be disappointed. It really appears that he will get the first offer from us, with Altman waiting in the wings. AD Hamilton is talking to and listening closely to what Ernie Grunfield has to say, and EG is strongly endorsing Pearl. But as for now, it's just wait and see.
Good luck tonite.
Smokey
PS. If we offer, I honestly think he will accept. Word is that even though you guys are still in the tournament Pearl has been in contact with Hamilton and vice-versa, and that he wants this job (ie, one reason he never really considered UMass). Now, we'll just have to wait and see to find out how true these reports are.
And I also know Pearl has said in interviews the past couple of days that he's happy at Milwaukee and he's not a nomad and so on. But, what do you expect him to say considering the timing? He also said something about if the right opportunity came about... $1-$1.5 million at the biggest revenue producing SEC school are a lot of opportunities.
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Post by UTLovesPearl on Mar 24, 2005 8:46:37 GMT -6
While I agree with most of what you've said, let's be honest here. Nashville and Memphis are way more forward thinking, modern, and urban cities than Knoxville is. That being said, the entire state would love to have Pearl. I've heard this east coast jew stuff thrown around on here some. This, in all honesty, offends me. We don't care who coaches here. All that we want is someone who can help us win.
As far as Anderson being our "courtesy" interview: Are you serious?! I assume this is, in your mind, courtesy because he is black? Come on, Smokey... If Anderson doesn't get the job it would be due to other factors, his team's collapse and lack of fight in the second round game in the tourney being one.
I just really like the way UW-M plays. In the entire tourney I would put UW-M and WV as the two most well-coached/executed/etc teams in terms of on-court play.
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Post by mikeb on Mar 24, 2005 8:48:26 GMT -6
no way pearl hits the bible belt (hes jewish by the way). i definatley think he's waiting for a big ten job, (indiana anyone??), but hes here next year. i dont see him abandoning boo and joah with such a promising season ahead.
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Post by Smokey on Mar 24, 2005 9:26:26 GMT -6
UT Loves Pearl...
I never said Knoxville was more modern, urban, and foward thinking than Memphis or Nashville. I totally agree with you on that. All I said was Knoxville wasn't as Southern as those two. I've lived in Both Knoxville and Nashville, and I know Nash is more modern, urban, and foward thinking; but there's also a lot stronger tie to the "old" South in Nash that isn't there in Knox.
And as for Anderson being a "courtesy" interview. I really believe that, and it does have to do with his skin color. I'm hearing that Pearl and Altman are Hamilton's favorites; so why even interview Anderson? Simple, look at the NFL and it's hiring practices. Even if you know a white guy is the man you want, you better go ahead an interview a black man too just to cover yourself. I'm not a racist, I'm just speaking the truth of the times. I've advocated when Buzz got fired that we should seriously look at Anderson and Karl Hobbs, because I feel like a black coach could better connect with most of our players and recruits on a comfort standpoint. However, it appears that MH really wants Pearl, that's why he'll be attending the game in Chicago tonite, so why not play it safe and interview people of different ethnic backgrounds?
Sorry if I offended anyone with these comments, I'm just trying to be a realist here.
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Post by mikeb on Mar 24, 2005 9:30:47 GMT -6
UT Loves Pearl... I never said Knoxville was more modern, urban, and foward thinking than Memphis or Nashville. I totally agree with you on that. All I said was Knoxville wasn't as Southern as those two. I've lived in Both Knoxville and Nashville, and I know Nash is more modern, urban, and foward thinking; but there's also a lot stronger tie to the "old" South in Nash that isn't there in Knox. And as for Anderson being a "courtesy" interview. I really believe that, and it does have to do with his skin color. I'm hearing that Pearl and Altman are Hamilton's favorites; so why even interview Anderson? Simple, look at the NFL and it's hiring practices. Even if you know a white guy is the man you want, you better go ahead an interview a black man too just to cover yourself. I'm not a racist, I'm just speaking the truth of the times. I've advocated when Buzz got fired that we should seriously look at Anderson and Karl Hobbs, because I feel like a black coach could better connect with most of our players and recruits on a comfort standpoint. However, it appears that MH really wants Pearl, that's why he'll be attending the game in Chicago tonite, so why not play it safe and interview people of different ethnic backgrounds? Sorry if I offended anyone with these comments, I'm just trying to be a realist here. being a realist i think your putting the cart before the horse here we arnt even out of the tournament and you have already decided pearl is the man for the job and "everyone in knoxville loves him". sorry dude, take it from people who know anything about him, its not gonna happen. not trying to be a jerk sorry if it came off that way |
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Post by UTLovesPearl on Mar 24, 2005 9:37:08 GMT -6
I'd love to see him in Knoxville. Until PTI, I thought it was going to happen for sure. I just don't see how he could say what he said about staying and then bolt a few weeks later. I'm sure that he could justify it by saying he wanted the focus of his team and the media to be on the NCAAs.
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Post by mikeb on Mar 24, 2005 9:38:46 GMT -6
exactly and hes said that all season no way he flip flops
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Post by Kroener3535 on Mar 24, 2005 9:38:54 GMT -6
sorry but at this point UT isnt a step up as far as a basketball program from UWM...they could pay him nicely but Bruce is a family man...his son Steve will be a Sr. in High School...and he has finally found a place where he can practice his Jewish beliefs. Sorry to burst your bubble but it will not happen this year.
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Post by PantherAlumBB on Mar 24, 2005 10:25:40 GMT -6
Smokey
You can't rule out a guy taking 1.5 mm to coach in the SEC (although I wonder if that's really the number). I'm not that convinced that Pearl wouldn't go to UT because he's an easterner and jewish. Knoxville is southern but its also a university town. I bet you've got synagogues there and every thing. So I wouldn't be shocked to see it happen, but your stpry does raise some questions.
As you point out, some of Pearl's comments this week are extremely strong with respect to his intention to stay in Milwaukee. His Dad has made even stronger statements. I understand that you don't talk about leaving before the game but, if you were already focused on a place, I suspect you'd leave the door a bit more ajar than he has.
If you are focused on Pearl, why interview anybody this week? I understand what you are saying about Anderson being a courtesy interview but if your AD is under that kind of pressure to consider a minority coach, don't be surprised if he hires one. Anderson would make a lot of sense. Last year his team was the unlikely survivor in the sweet 16. They pulled another upset this year. It would be really stupid to discount the guy because they got beat by a very good team in the second round and I really doubt that the people who run an athletic department as successful as UT's are stupid. Anderson (I assume) has recruited in the south; Pearl hasn't. Much as we all love Bruce, Anderson's been successful in a major conference, Pearl hasn't.
I also wonder if Bobby Knight is really out of it and, as much as I think Bruce is a miracle worker, UT would be nuts not to hire Knight if they could get him. He's a jerk, but he's won three national championships. He has taken a school that not only has no basketball tradition but (in contrast to UT), no athletic tradition of any kind and made them a contender in a conference at least as good as the SEC, if not better. Just naming him coach, because of who he is, would put the profile of the UT program into the stratosphere. Maybe I wouldn't promise to hire his kid but I'd sure tell Dad he'll get every consideration.
The statement that UT is "why" Pearl didn't pursue UMass seems clearly wrong and casts doubt on the other rumours. Pearl was never going to UMass. It was a better job than ours three years ago but it isn't now.
Finally, I question the 1.5 mm. Why was Peterson getting only 850k? For 850k, I don't think he goes. Its not beyond belief that UWM will at least double his salary because, with all the momentum he's created, they stand to gain big $$$ if he stays. Don't you think they could double attendance next year? Don't you think that they could get some real TV money? Don't you think they could expect more Tournament revenue?
To go to UT, I think it takes a big raise and, if it turns out its not there, its not going to happen.
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Post by SoINEagle on Mar 24, 2005 13:20:45 GMT -6
Pearl's record....A WINNER
USI winning percentages:
9 years before Pearl: 148 - 109 58%
5 years before Pearl: 77 - 65 54%
1 year before Pearl: 10 - 18 36%
First year of Pearl: 22 - 7 76%
Pearl years (93 - 01): 231 - 46 83%
Worst year was his 1st
Years after Pearl: 75 - 22 77%
Now look at UW - Milwaukee's story:
History leading up to Pearl: 58 - 108 35%
Bo Ryan: 30 - 27 53%
Pearl: 88 - 37 70%
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Post by thebeastisback on Mar 24, 2005 20:34:17 GMT -6
You lost the game and now you're going to lose your coach. ;D
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Post by UTLovesPearl on Mar 27, 2005 9:04:39 GMT -6
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Post by PantherAlumBB on Mar 27, 2005 9:38:16 GMT -6
Maybe, although if they did remove their names in the sense of no longer seeking the job, it suggests that it might not be a done deal. It suggests that what we really know about the Vols' job is who doesn't want it - Knight, Altman, Anderson - money notwithstanding. Maybe the money is not as big as is rumoured and I think it has to be. Pearl may be successful at UT but the fact remains that it has been a program where coaches go to get paid and die. Kevin O'Neill was remarkably like Bruce. Fast talking, high energy Eastern guy, great recruiter, turned MU - which had slipped into what is now the Horizon League - around. I hope Kevin still has the money.
It's really tough to have agreat basketball program at a football school. Florida and OK have sort of done it. Michigan did for awhile. UT has great advantages over UWM. He has a chance to get better players there than here. But he won't be recruiting to beat us. He'll be recruiting to beat Kentucky. What advantage does UT have over the rest of the SEC and comparable programs.
Having said that, I suspect the money is dispositive and he'll probably go.
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Post by NYCVol on Mar 27, 2005 10:10:49 GMT -6
What advantage does UT have over the rest of the SEC and comparable programs. Unfortunately, that's the gripe many of us as UT fans have with the AD's office. Our school has the second largest athletic budget, yet we somehow can't find a way to market our program. Our arena is second biggest in the country, yet we can't put anybody in it. Part of it is the downtrodden program but a lot of it has to do with our AD's office not taking advantage of the marketing opportunities. I think that's why many of us are excited at the prospect of having Pearl come to UT. As you said, he's personable like O'Neill and a guy who can market the program. O'Neill always made his intention known that UT was a stepping stone. Hopefully, if we get Pearl, he can build us into a program that he will never want to leave. Whether or not he comes to UT, Pearl is a great coach and either of our programs will be lucky to have him for the years to come. Congrats on a great season. You guys gained a ton of fans this year. |
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Post by Unimane on Mar 27, 2005 10:12:55 GMT -6
It's not that tough to have a good b-ball program at a football school. The pressure's off a little bit. If any of you ever go into Kentucky territory, you'll see how absurd it can get. I remember UK being 24-4 one year and people were complaining about Tubby Smith (Just like Tennessee people complain about Phil Fulmer even if UT is 10-1.).
What UT has, though, is money, loads of it. Even more than most comparable schools. Football brings in an enormous amount of money, plus UT women's basketball actually brings in a fairly hefty profit, so it pays for the women's sports (The men and women have separate athl. depts. at UT.). UT has a ton of resources for its basketball program IF they get the right guy, which they haven't been able to do for 20 years.
UWM has to count on Pearl's ties to the community and friendships, etc. because all of the material factors favor UT greatly. At some point, though, you have to realize Pearl is going to ge anyway.
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