[rexvol]

Bruce Pearl May Force UT Back into Obscurity | The Blue Workhorse

The next show of pompous arrogance came after the Vols could not break through the round of sixteen, yet again. Following the loss to Louisville, Pearl was asked about his coaching future, in particular the speculation surrounding the Indiana job. His response:

“I absolutely anticipate — if Tennessee will have me — being back at Tennessee. I think they’ll have me.”

Maybe my memory fails me in my advanced age, but I do not recall John Wooden ever having this kind of attitude with his employer, and he had a little better showing with the opportunities he had in the NCAA tournament.
Pearl’s response is a dangerous sign for the University of Tennessee and its basketball fans. An employee who develops that kind of an attitude toward the organization employing him/her is bound to cause problems and distractions that may not warrant the average returns, thus far. Let’s not forget that even the “inept” Jerry Green made it to the Sweet Sixteen.

Yes, Bruce has rejuvenated the fan base and his outreach programs have even picked up new fans in the process, but let’s not forget the coach’s checkered past. Did these shady practices follow him to Knoxville?

While there is no substantive proof that his past has followed him, there is no doubt Coach Pearl is the least liked coach among his peers. There has to be a reason other than Bruce likes to strip-tease in front of several thousand people at a Lady Vols game. No one is asking Pearl to reach out and make sure he ends up on Kevin Stallings’ and Billy Donavan’s 2008 Christmas card lists, but school administrators and fans should be concerned than Bruce is not respected by the other coaches in the league.