The Bruce Pearl Thread

[Vol8188]

Here's the definition of elite...

a group of people considered (by others or themselves) to be the best in a particular society or category, esp. because of their power, talent, or wealth.


I'm not sure of many college coaches that would consider Pearl to be one of the best in the business.

I think if he weren't elite, he would have never accomplished the three things I stated earlier.

35 game home win streak
Ranked #1
Elite 8

We're not exactly UNC, it takes an elite coach to do that.

 

[zjcvols]

Your description of Peterson sounds like someone else we know....,

Cuonzo, right now, is like Devoe.

I'm underwhelmed with Martin but he does have a 19 and 20 win season under his belt. He has an overachieving year and an underachieving year.

 

[Freak]

I have said I would welcome him back. My opinion is formed with the understanding that Hart will not bring Pearl back here.

Cheek isn't a big Pearl fan from what I understand and obviously Slive isn't.

As much as I enjoyed the Pearl era and wish it hadn't ended, it's probably not in the best interest of Tennessee or Bruce Pearl for him to coach here again. That is unfortunate, especially considering Frank Haith is currently coaching in the SEC.

 

[zjcvols]

Cheek isn't a big Pearl fan from what I understand and obviously Slive isn't.

As much as I enjoyed the Pearl era and wish it hadn't ended, it's probably not in the best interest of Tennessee or Bruce Pearl for him to coach here again. That is unfortunate, especially considering Frank Haith is currently coaching in the SEC.

I'm with you on Haith.

That's bull****.

 

[Freak]

Which raises an off topic discussion . . . The arena size was completely idiotic when they built it and remains so now.

If you remember, the arena size was considered a liability for potential coaches.

 

[gunner]

Good write up Z, but I said "before Mears".

I respect your opinion Z, but this is one area where we just completely disagree. No harm in that. :hi:

That's why I didn't touch it. I can't recall very much about UT Basketball with Mears, much less before him.

 

[Spartacavolus]

Mears- Best coach in UT history. Had an exciting style and was a great recruiter. Brought the best player in school history to Tennessee. Had an impressive 8 or 9 20 win seasons and won three SEC titles in a time were they were much harder to get. Had health problems and the administration forced him to quit (allegedly).

DeVoe- probably the closest comparison to Cuonzo. Had a lot of talented players and was successful his first few years. Struggled after the implement of the shot clock. Didn't make the tourney enough or win enough in the tourney to keep his job. Also didn't get along with Dickey (like every other bball coach at UT).

Houston- was an ace recruiter for Denny Crum at L 'Ville and his son bailed him out for four years and he had a 5 win season his last year. Terrible coach, terrible recruiter, gutted the program. Only positive was one SEC title game appearance and the awesome Allan Houston.

O'Neill- Left Marquette for UT. Him and Dickey hated each other. Toughest rebuilding job in school history. Recruited well but had a very methodical style that didn't fit well with his athletes. Left for Northwestern after feuding with Dickey. Could have been successful here but nowhere near a guarantee.

Green- Not a great coach but deserves credit for having a solid run. Four straight NCAA appearances (first time in school history), won 20 games every year, two Sweet Sixteen appearances and multiple players in the NBA. Also won a regular SEC title. Got fired for complaining about fans and demanded a contract extension. Dickey said no and fired him. Teams were known for athleticism but lack of discipline in half court.

Peterson- A good recruiter but a below average coach. Had a couple winning seasons but no tourney appearances hurt him. Teams never had a particular style and teams were too undisciplined. Left the program in decent shape roster wise but fans never bought into him.

No, I did not use the internet or books just now.

Z, is there an original, observed thought in all the above that you list?

 

[Freak]

Oh I agree 100%

This was a hot topic last year. The size is idiotic, the setup is even worse. I would love to see them build a 14k capacity arena that the students are along the sidelines and much more involved like you see in other places.

Even when TBA is full, it's too big to be as loud as a small arena like cameron that holds half the people.

A smaller arena would be much more intimidating. I remember watching some great games in Stokely as a youngster.

 

[zjcvols]

Z, is there an original, observed thought in all the above that you list?

I've watched games from all those coaches.

I guess we can't talk about history if we didn't see it. Who cares about the Civil War? Can't mention it since no one here has seen it .

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I think if he weren't elite, he would have never accomplished the three things I stated earlier.

35 game home win streak
Ranked #1
Elite 8

We're not exactly UNC, it takes an elite coach to do that.

I think there's quite a few coaches that could be successful at Tennessee. Maybe they don't ever have a 35 game home winning streak, but maybe they win the SECT?

In the grand scheme I think there's quite a few coaches who could make this a top 20 program, consistent NCAAT appearances, and frequent trips to the sweet 16 or further.

 

[Sandvol]

Don DeVoe was a very good coach. I wouldn't put Martin in his class. He beat Kentucky all the time. The problem DeVoe had was he didn't adjust very well initially when they added the 3 point shot and the 35 second clock. He was good at playing the slow down high percentage shot. I think if they'd given him more time he would have adjusted. Very underrated coach.

 

[Spartacavolus]

I've watched games from all those coaches.

I guess we can't talk about history if we didn't see it. Who cares about the Civil War? Can't mention it since no one here has seen it .

just saying that regurgitating info that others put on paper doesn't make others that don't do it ignorant

 

[bleedingTNorange]

A smaller arena would be much more intimidating. I remember watching some great games in Stokely as a youngster.

We aren't Kentucky, no need to try and be. Look at the o'dome, I think it holds around 10k.

 

[gunner]

Mears- Best coach in UT history. Had an exciting style and was a great recruiter. Brought the best player in school history to Tennessee. Had an impressive 8 or 9 20 win seasons and won three SEC titles in a time were they were much harder to get. Had health problems and the administration forced him to quit (allegedly).

DeVoe- probably the closest comparison to Cuonzo. Had a lot of talented players and was successful his first few years. Struggled after the implement of the shot clock. Didn't make the tourney enough or win enough in the tourney to keep his job. Also didn't get along with Dickey (like every other bball coach at UT).

Houston- was an ace recruiter for Denny Crum at L 'Ville and his son bailed him out for four years and he had a 5 win season his last year. Terrible coach, terrible recruiter, gutted the program. Only positive was one SEC title game appearance and the awesome Allan Houston.

O'Neill- Left Marquette for UT. Him and Dickey hated each other. Toughest rebuilding job in school history. Recruited well but had a very methodical style that didn't fit well with his athletes. Left for Northwestern after feuding with Dickey. Could have been successful here but nowhere near a guarantee.

Green- Not a great coach but deserves credit for having a solid run. Four straight NCAA appearances (first time in school history), won 20 games every year, two Sweet Sixteen appearances and multiple players in the NBA. Also won a regular SEC title. Got fired for complaining about fans and demanded a contract extension. Dickey said no and fired him. Teams were known for athleticism but lack of discipline in half court.

Peterson- A good recruiter but a below average coach. Had a couple winning seasons but no tourney appearances hurt him. Teams never had a particular style and teams were too undisciplined. Left the program in decent shape roster wise but fans never bought into him.

No, I did not use the internet or books just now.

Nice post. Obviously you have been paying attention.

IMHO the overwhelming factor that got these coaches after Mears fired from UT was the simple fact that none could fill TBA night in and night out.

Bruce Pearl is the only coach at UT that didn't get fired for not filling TBA.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Nice post. Obviously you have been paying attention.

IMHO the overwhelming factor that got these coaches after Mears fired from UT was the simple fact that none could fill TBA night in and night out.

Bruce Pearl is the only coach at UT that didn't get fired for not filling TBA.

They got fired because they didn't win enough. If they won at the level Pearl did people would show up.

 

[Sandvol]

Nice post. Obviously you have been paying attention.

IMHO the overwhelming factor that got these coaches after Mears fired from UT was the simple fact that none could fill TBA night in and night out.

Bruce Pearl is the only coach at UT that didn't get fired for not filling TBA.

Guess who?

 

[gunner]

Don DeVoe was a very good coach. I wouldn't put Martin in his class. He beat Kentucky all the time. The problem DeVoe had was he didn't adjust very well initially when they added the 3 point shot and the 35 second clock. He was good at playing the slow down high percentage shot. I think if they'd given him more time he would have adjusted. Very underrated coach.

Good coach, he could recruit as good as we needed him too, but he was heads and tails better than Martin. On the other hand Martin is a much better recruiter.

 

[Freak]

They got fired because they didn't win enough. If they won at the level Pearl did people would show up.

Based on my fading memory, I don't recall the arena being as filled during the Green era as it was for Pearl. It would be interesting to compare, but since I'm not aware of any official numbers other than paid attendance, I don't suppose it's possible.

 

[Sandvol]

Good coach, he could recruit as good as we needed him too, but he was heads and tails better than Martin. On the other hand Martin is a much better recruiter.

I know he got Ellis and Brooks but I can't remember whom some of the other good ones he got?

 

[gunner]

They got fired because they didn't win enough. If they won at the level Pearl did people would show up.

Yes, that's my point. Ultimately, all that matters is turning a profit. How is that done? By winning and filling up the arena. Green won a lot, but he couldn't fill up the arena.

 

[Sandvol]

Yes, that's my point. Ultimately, all that matters is turning a profit. How is that done? By winning and filling up the arena. Green won a lot, but he couldn't fill up the arena.

Green won with O'Neil's recruits. He was horrid.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Yes, that's my point. Ultimately, all that matters is turning a profit. How is that done? By winning and filling up the arena. Green won a lot, but he couldn't fill up the arena.

Was Green fired?

 

[gunner]

Based on my fading memory, I don't recall the arena being as filled during the Green era as it was for Pearl. It would be interesting to compare, but since I'm not aware of any official numbers other than paid attendance, I don't suppose it's possible.

Freak, yes I have one of those too, but as I recall when Green was asked about the difficulty of filling up TBA even with a nationally ranked team, Green complained that he guess fans would rather go to church or Kmart on Wednesday night rather than watch the Vols play.

Do you remember something like that?

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Based on my fading memory, I don't recall the arena being as filled during the Green era as it was for Pearl. It would be interesting to compare, but since I'm not aware of any official numbers other than paid attendance, I don't suppose it's possible.

Just going off the NCAA site, looks like during green era it was around 16k and Pearl era averaged around 19k.

I'm guessing student enrollment and Knoxville population increased in that time period as well though.

 

[gunner]

A smaller arena would be much more intimidating. I remember watching some great games in Stokely as a youngster.

Yes, SAC was a snake pit, and it was at capacity every night, SEC teams and fans hated coming to play UT in SAC. It makes me wonder why UT ever built TBA so big in the first place. 14-15k would have been better IMHO.