Did you think Pearl was going to stay?

[nil]

With the mood of the board, I get the feeling that many of you actually thought that Pearl would stay at UWM.

I just wonder what you were thinking, when you know the type of guy BP really is...

[lang]

um im thinking no man in his right mind would turn down 1.5 million. Hes got to think about his family with that money

[nighthawk]

Yeah, I guess the $400,000 - $600,000 that he would likly get at UWM doesn't cut it.

Half a million a year just doesn't go as far as it used to.

[volntitan]

As a person who went to Western Kentucky University, I can understand what you are going thru. WKU would have great years and then lose their coach, ie Ralph Willard and Dennis Felton. But unfortunatly when you are a fan of a school in a mid level conference, success is often your worst enemy. I am not going to get into whether one school is better than another or one place is better than another, but the difference in conferences is huge. The difference in resources is huge. I don't think you can really begrudge someone for taking a bigger job. Now with that bigger job, comes bigger expectations and stress.

If he comes to UT, I hope it was the right choice for us.

[nighthawk]

"I don't think you can really begrudge someone for taking a bigger job."

I don't begrudge him for taking a bigger job. I am p'oed at his apparent lack of sincerity when he made comments like "I could see myself finishing my career in Milwaukee." and "It would take a dream job for me to leave." and "I make roots, I'm not a nomad. We are very happy in Milwaukee".

I guess he must have said all those things for negotiating purposes.

I hope he and his family are happy with his new role as Summit's assistant in Knoxville. I hope he enjoys playing on a court named for the SITTING women's coach. I hope he enjoys annual beatings at the hands of the best of the SEC (UK, Bama, etc.). I hope he enjoys being the target of all the ire of UT fans in two years. I hope he enjoys inevidable unemployment in 3 years.

Ask Kevin O'Neill how wonderful it is at UT. Or ask any of the other 5 coaches in the last 16 years that failed at UT.

Dream job my ass.

[Hack]

Get over yourself and stop being so damn selfish. Put yourself in his situation and let's see what decision YOU make. I guaran-DAMN-tee that you wouldn't be able to pass that up.

Plus, did you ever think that Pearl might be looking out for one of his top assistants? He's always felt Tony Jones is ready for a head coaching job. This would be the way to get him in the door with a freakin loaded team.

Go write another open letter if you feel the need to whine.

[nighthawk]

Oh, I guess MY being "selfish" is offensive and wrong, but his being "selfish" is acceptable and understandable.

And just for the record, I never said he was wrong to take the job. I think he was wrong to say the things he said if they weren't true, and it looks to me as though they weren't.

I would have preferred he was open that he would be interested in a major conference job.

[mcdadenets50]

Work with a UT grad. Just gave her my Bruce Is My Homeboy shirt She can dye it orange. Happy Monday

[Hack]

Nighthawk said:

Oh, I guess MY being "selfish" is offensive and wrong, but his being "selfish" is acceptable and understandable.

And just for the record, I never said he was wrong to take the job. I think he was wrong to say the things he said if they weren't true, and it looks to me as though they weren't.

I would have preferred he was open that he would be interested in a major conference job.

Bullsh*t.

You would've been here whining, "Why is he saying he's interested in a major conference job? He should be concentrating on the one he has now!"

There is no perfect answer in this situation. Bruce has always handled himself well and been very open.

But apparently you have all of the answers. Maybe he should've asked you for some sage advice.

[volntitan]

You also need to ask Kevin O'Neil the real reason he HAD to leave Knoxville.

Let me ask you. At your current job, if you were offered 2-3 times more money that you make right now, a much bigger office and a chance at more advancement, do you not look at it, even if you and your boss have a great relationship? Knowing you may not get another offer like this?

If you say no, you are lying.

UMW was there before Pearl got there and will be there long after he is gone.

[Hack]

volntitan said:

UMW was there before Pearl got there and will be there long after he is gone.

UWM ... not UMW!!!

It's not ULAC or ULVN or UBA, right?

[PantherFanTKE]

Ok another question to be posed then...

With the success of this year we will obviously be gaining many fans in the bleechers next year. However,
If BP does indeed leave this year, could that unravel some of the "spoils" of making it as far as we did this year? In terms of people jumping off the bandwagon, media, etc?

If he goes what all will he be taking with him?

[nighthawk]

If it were true, no I wouldn't. I would have been prepared to face this.

I went from euphoria of a Sweet 16, to the low of a program in serious trouble.

Don't kid yourself. Right now, Bruce IS the program. I don't know if soneone else can match that.

[Hack]

Nighthawk said:

If it were true, no I wouldn't. I would have been prepared to face this.

Wow. You are the man with all the answers. Maybe you should be the next coach.

[nighthawk]

"Let me ask you. At your current job, if you were offered 2-3 times more money that you make right now, a much bigger office and a chance at more advancement, do you not look at it, even if you and your boss have a great relationship? Knowing you may not get another offer like this?"

I honestly don't know since I've never found myself in such a position. But if it meant uprooting my family, it certainly wouldn't be a no brainer, and that's what he said it would take for him to leave. His words, not mine.