Enjoy it. Really.

That might the case for some, but I think some of us just aren't on board with the Pearl hate.
For me it is more just a case of being thankful to him for growing our fanbase and helping put us on the map as a " New Blood" program. Also, helping us be in position to get a guy like Barnes.

I don't necessarily want him back here as coach. I don't think it is even in the realm of possibilities he would end up back here as a head coach.
That said, I wouldn't riot or anything if for some crazy reason he did end back up here.

The guy has been nothing but complimentary of our program since he left, and I believe in forgiveness/redemption. I have forgiven Bruce, and definitely don't harbor any hate for him or his son like some people here do.
Acknowledging the logistical improbabilities of him returning to Tennessee as coach doesn't equate to hating him, though. Failure to acknowledge that is the problem.

Without looking it up, I seriously doubt that there is any sort of precedence for a coach who was fired with a show cause penalty ever returning to the scene of the crime with another offer to coach at the school that fired him. It's just not happening. He's a great coach, no doubt. He did some really good things here and we are what we are as a program based in large part to those groundwork he laid. He's just not ever going to coach at Tennessee, again. Like you, I wouldn't be opposed to it strictly from a wins/losses standpoint, but it's a pipe dream.
 
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I like him, don’t disagree on that at all, I just imagine that after another great year they’re likely willing to give him another raise, probably similar to Barnes range. Considering he’s a Texas lifer if money is remotely close I don’t see it being even a consideration.
Also would think he’s on the short list for the Texas job that’s about to be open
 
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Acknowledging the logistical improbabilities of him returning to Tennessee as coach doesn't equate to hating him, though. Failure to acknowledge that is the problem.

Without looking it up, I seriously doubt that there is any sort of precedence for a coach who was fired with a show cause penalty ever returning to the scene of the crime with another offer to coach at the school that fired him. It's just not happening. He's a great coach, no doubt. He did some really good things here and we are what we are as a program based in large part to those groundwork he laid. He's just not ever going to coach at Tennessee, again. Like you, I wouldn't be opposed to it strictly from a wins/losses standpoint, but it's a pipe dream.
For sure on that the first sentence, but I'm in a little more doubt on your second one. I know on both sides there are extremes on the matter in question, and people going in both directions approaching the middle, but I have definitely seen some posts (I could give you as examples) that are more than just acknowledging the situation or being frustrated with someone who may not necessarily acknowledge what me and you pretty much seem to agree on (Pearl probability of coming back on a graph would be approaching zero).

I'm not interested in posting said examples, tho.
From my relative prospective/experience, the problem seems more people getting their feathers ruffled and firing back with hate or ridicule for anyone mentioning anything remotely positive about Barnes. That's the thing I will continue to highlight.
You may have a difference reference point, and you certainly within your rights to highlight those that over tout Pearl, especially in regards to coming back her to coach.

As far as you/me personally on the matter, I don't think we have a problem discussing it like adults.
Be nice of everyone else could, too.
I do know people's opinions on this topic run deep emotionally speaking, so I definitely try to give a little grace. I just wish that same courtesy of grace was extended back.
 
Also would think he’s on the short list for the Texas job that’s about to be open
He’s got a “contract for life” at Auburn, for as much as that means. In any case, would Texas be an upgrade after what he’s built on the Plains? I doubt it. Unless they can make him a bigger contract for life. But I’d imagine Auburn would pay whatever it takes to keep his belly big.
 
I just want to know why so many hate the guy, when he is main reason we got Barnes. Pearl single handedly got Pratt Pavillion and luxury boxes put in. I really don’t get the hostility that some have for a guy that loves it here.

Oh man, you asking for it making that statement.
I got crucified for saying the same thing.
Meh, it the truth, tho.
100%...if Coach Pearl hadn't made the idiotic decisions to get himself fired we likely would have never hired CRB.
 
Acknowledging the logistical improbabilities of him returning to Tennessee as coach doesn't equate to hating him, though. Failure to acknowledge that is the problem.

Without looking it up, I seriously doubt that there is any sort of precedence for a coach who was fired with a show cause penalty ever returning to the scene of the crime with another offer to coach at the school that fired him. It's just not happening. He's a great coach, no doubt. He did some really good things here and we are what we are as a program based in large part to those groundwork he laid. He's just not ever going to coach at Tennessee, again. Like you, I wouldn't be opposed to it strictly from a wins/losses standpoint, but it's a pipe dream.
Too much rational logic
 
He’s got a “contract for life” at Auburn, for as much as that means. In any case, would Texas be an upgrade after what he’s built on the Plains? I doubt it. Unless they can make him a bigger contract for life. But I’d imagine Auburn would pay whatever it takes to keep his belly big.
Why would the Texas Tech coach have a contract for life at Auburn?
 
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Pearl would take Texas job over Auburn if offered.
Maybe, but if nothing else, Pearl has proven to be pretty loyal to schools that backed him when he was down. He was loyal to Tennessee when he finally got the opportunity, then he undid himself. And he's been loyal to Auburn for 11 years when better opportunities have existed. At 66, going to a conference rival and starting over probably isn't particularly appealing. Texas has money, but they don't have tradition or prestige in basketball. If Texas is willing to grossly overpay, and the money is important, then maybe, but I get the feeling Pearl is rather comfortable at the Barn.
 
I work across the state line in Bammer Land.

The Bama boys love pointing out to the Auburn guys that Nate Oats has won more NCAA tourney games than Peral in half the time.

No clue if that is a true statement...?
 
Why has this thread devolved into another discussion of Bruce Pearl? There is another thread that was split off (from another thread) so folks could keep talking about BP history if they so desire. Loved Bruce and still respect him and what he did for the program but there’s no need to clutter up this thread. Have to ask Stoerner but I thought the original intent was to enjoy Rick Barnes and what time we have left before he retires.
 
Why has this thread devolved into another discussion of Bruce Pearl? There is another thread that was split off (from another thread) so folks could keep talking about BP history if they so desire. Loved Bruce and still respect him and what he did for the program but there’s no need to clutter up this thread. Have to ask Stoerner but I thought the original intent was to enjoy Rick Barnes and what time we have left before he retires.
Because every coaching discussion comes back to him. 6 degrees of Bruce Pearl, I guess. It's the VolNation way.
 
Why has this thread devolved into another discussion of Bruce Pearl? There is another thread that was split off (from another thread) so folks could keep talking about BP history if they so desire. Loved Bruce and still respect him and what he did for the program but there’s no need to clutter up this thread. Have to ask Stoerner but I thought the original intent was to enjoy Rick Barnes and what time we have left before he retires.
Because he's the basketball program's equivalent of Kiffin.
 
Well......not really buddy. Bruce actually did something significant for the basketball program while he was here. Kiffin banged some college chicks and wrecked his Lexus.
Sure he is. They are both "the one that got away." Bruce did actually show something while at UT, yes, but there's always the question people ask of what else he could have done here. Especially after he made that FF at Auburn (but actually hasn't made it beyond the first weekend of the tourney otherwise).
 
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Sure he is. They are both "the one that got away." Bruce did actually show something while at UT, yes, but there's always the question people ask of what else he could have done here. Especially after he made that FF at Auburn (but actually hasn't made it beyond the first weekend of the tourney otherwise).
I am sure Kiffin would have done some good things if he stuck around but we never got to see that. Bruce resurrected the BB program from the dead.
 
Sure he is. They are both "the one that got away." Bruce did actually show something while at UT, yes, but there's always the question people ask of what else he could have done here. Especially after he made that FF at Auburn (but actually hasn't made it beyond the first weekend of the tourney otherwise).
I don't know, man. I don't think Kiffin is necessarily looked at like "the one that got away".

More like that first year divorce in your very early twenties where you're super glad you dodged that long term bullet/ learned your lesson before you were late 30 something and lose the house, kids, and half of all your money and most of all your sanity.

We basically just had a brief fling with Kiffin.
Pearl was here long enough ( and was successful enough) for us to have a couple kids and build a pretty successful business with.

In the end ( in this analogy) he got caught doing some dirty dealing within the business we made together, but we'll forever have a connection with him beacsue of the kids and the business we built (and we're ultimately able to sustain despite the divorce).

The fact that Bruce really hasn't had any more success than Barnes post season NCAAT, makes most fans pretty secure we don't need to go back to him. He made have had that one final 4 at Auburn, but Barnes was a few fairly reffed minutes from achieving the same.
 
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Add Eric Olen to the list of potential Barnes replacements when that time comes. Watching his team play tonight and looking into his history, he seems like a guy who can get the job done.
 
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