I have a friend with good connections to AgU. He said that the Auburn peeps went to Slive and got his blessing before going after Pearl.
The way this thing looks to me. The season looked like it was headed towards a lack luster end. I don't think Hart was going to do anything this year, knowing that next year would be an absolute rock solid indicator. Hart was biding his time, never thinking that the team would muster a Sweet 16 run. And certainly not thining CCM would suddenly be a candidate on the move. So, Hart dropped the ball by being indifferent. He wasn't going to defend CCM, which in my opinon is worse than trying to oust him. There is nothing worse than people who aren't for you are against you. I'd rather know where the hell someone stands. And I think Hart was banking on giving him year 4, thinking he either impresses with a mediocre roster, or crashes and burns.
Who would guess that you would draw, Iowa, UMass, Mercer, and a team which looked lost and uninspired at times would finally click. They were a frogs hair from losing the play in game, which had they lost, I think changes everything. No one is beating down Martin's door, and Hart can sit on his contract.
Martin basically stuck it to Hart in the end. UT has no money to pay the big boys, and not enough vision to justify taking the risk in the first place. Hart wasn't committed to Martin. Didn't defend him when he was down, and now is standing there with his pants around his ankles. Hart wasn't prepared to go all in either with support, or to actually find and pay a replacement.