The Bruce Pearl Thread

[PolarVol]

Our basketball team has been dismal for decades until Bruce Pearl came. He completely had Tennessee turned around and almost in the final four. And what is one good reason we would not want him to coach UT again? He did his time.

 

[Spartacavolus]

Our basketball team has been dismal for decades until Bruce Pearl came. He completely had Tennessee turned around and almost in the final four. And what is one good reason we would not want him to coach UT again? He did his time.

because he hurt feelings along the way

 

[FleeceItOut]

Our basketball team has been dismal for decades until Bruce Pearl came. He completely had Tennessee turned around and almost in the final four. And what is one good reason we would not want him to coach UT again? He did his time.

Don't waste your time man.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

Can somebody help me with reasons why we shouldn't, or can't, hire Pearl back? There are plenty of pros to hiring him back but the cons seem lower and the people that say there are plenty never actually give those reasons.

I guess it would look bad if the university that fired him hired him back again? Some of the people involved in that decision aren't here anymore.

Just curious and wanted to get some solid input. Go Vols.

Mainly it's the image that the university doesn't want to portray. Whether you like it or not, hiring back a guy they fired to save themselves from further NCAA punishment doesn't look good for them. They either have to admit they made a mistake firing them (which they won't and given the circumstances I don't believe they did make a mistake), or they are saying "We don't care about anything ethical". And before the 'it was lying about a BBQ" talk starts, we're talking perception, not the details.

It's also something that simply isn't done. If you notice, most people really pushing this here have to add "there's a first time for everything". This would literally be the first time a school has rehired a coach they fired over NCAA issues; heck I'm not sure I know of any that rehired coaches they fired period.

Third, none of us know what happened behind the scenes. Some, like Wes Rucker, have indicated Pearl pretty much torched some bridges to UT. We have no way to know unless it's made public, but I would gather there's way more under the surface.

Finally, not only would UT be flipping off the NCAA, they'd be flipping off the SEC. Remember Slive handed down Pearl an 8 game SEC suspension. That's why I don't see Pearl coming back to the SEC period, because they more or less probably need to get it cleared with Slive and I doubt that happens.

 

[GAVol]

Mainly it's the image that the university doesn't want to portray. Whether you like it or not, hiring back a guy they fired to save themselves from further NCAA punishment doesn't look good for them. They either have to admit they made a mistake firing them (which they won't and given the circumstances I don't believe they did make a mistake), or they are saying "We don't care about anything ethical". And before the 'it was lying about a BBQ" talk starts, we're talking perception, not the details.

It's also something that simply isn't done. If you notice, most people really pushing this here have to add "there's a first time for everything". This would literally be the first time a school has rehired a coach they fired over NCAA issues; heck I'm not sure I know of any that rehired coaches they fired period.

Third, none of us know what happened behind the scenes. Some, like Wes Rucker, have indicated Pearl pretty much torched some bridges to UT. We have no way to know unless it's made public, but I would gather there's way more under the surface.

Finally, not only would UT be flipping off the NCAA, they'd be flipping off the SEC. Remember Slive handed down Pearl an 8 game SEC suspension. That's why I don't see Pearl coming back to the SEC period, because they more or less probably need to get it cleared with Slive and I doubt that happens.

That's pretty much it. It has nothing to do with believing in second chances, feelings, moral stances, how good a coach Pearl is or how much he loves the Vols. It just is what it is.

 

[whocaresgobobcats]

Can somebody help me with reasons why we shouldn't, or can't, hire Pearl back? There are plenty of pros to hiring him back but the cons seem lower and the people that say there are plenty never actually give those reasons.

I guess it would look bad if the university that fired him hired him back again? Some of the people involved in that decision aren't here anymore.

Just curious and wanted to get some solid input. Go Vols.

because he cant be hired until august 2014.

 

[FiremedicVOL127]

I also think the guy deserves a second chance and has shown he is committed to Knoxville and not just completely self interest in coaching anywhere he can. I think he loves the community and University. I don't know of any other coach that can bring that to the table.

[/QUOTE]


His love for the university and the program is undeniable! I mean how many other coaches that have been fired by a institution regularly come back and sit in the stands and watch there old program compete? He's been to several BBall games and was also at the O&W game plus a couple of football games! Always sportin that beautiful orange we all love!! That to me is a true VFL!

 

[Stoked]

Mainly it's the image that the university doesn't want to portray. Whether you like it or not, hiring back a guy they fired to save themselves from further NCAA punishment doesn't look good for them. They either have to admit they made a mistake firing them (which they won't and given the circumstances I don't believe they did make a mistake), or they are saying "We don't care about anything ethical". And before the 'it was lying about a BBQ" talk starts, we're talking perception, not the details.

It's also something that simply isn't done. If you notice, most people really pushing this here have to add "there's a first time for everything". This would literally be the first time a school has rehired a coach they fired over NCAA issues; heck I'm not sure I know of any that rehired coaches they fired period.

Third, none of us know what happened behind the scenes. Some, like Wes Rucker, have indicated Pearl pretty much torched some bridges to UT. We have no way to know unless it's made public, but I would gather there's way more under the surface.

Finally, not only would UT be flipping off the NCAA, they'd be flipping off the SEC. Remember Slive handed down Pearl an 8 game SEC suspension. That's why I don't see Pearl coming back to the SEC period, because they more or less probably need to get it cleared with Slive and I doubt that happens.

Unfortunately, this. I think you about covered it all except that Cheek is a booger picker.

 

[UTProf]

People can say what they will about the *gasp* weenie roast-secondary-violation which Pearl eventually came clean on but truth is it's not too different from hammering Mo Couch for telling the truth once Yahoo! published the article and the authors even bragged no one would be punished and they wouldn't cooperate while leaving the worst of the bunch untouched and not bothering to investigate the programs that had a lot more smoke around them than Mo did. Pearl is guilty of a boneheaded mistake but he didn't deserve what he got and I have a feeling Cal pushed for it and what Cal and UK want when it comes to basketball they get.

Bama is giving a player who admitted to beating and robbing victims at Bama 2nd chance. The NCAA is also more toothless than ever yet posters here think Pearl is immoral or somehow evil and/or fear that hiring him will somehow result in sanctions (it won't as there's ZERO grounds for that).

And here's the thing the AD needs to understand as they consider the future, I grew up a basketball player and love the game but even as much as I love UT I didn't give 2 'its about UT men's basketball until Pearl came along and it had little to do with winning. He was a fireball and I remember how much he did to treat those of us on campus -- students, faculty, and staff -- right. THAT alone is worth its weight in gold.

If the AD wants me to get my butt in the arena, fans to make noise, buy gear, watch televised games with any real regularity and general excitement to fill the air once more then Pearl needs to be strongly considered.

Writing him off, not really considering him, or blacklisting him is the absolute worst thing they could ever do as such a thing would come out.

 

[Big Orange 98]

If people are serious about wanting Pearl back they need to start taking action. Starting "Bring Back Pearl" chants is a start. Pressure needs to be put on this administration to make the change. Bruce Pearl made UT relevant again. He brought excitement and electricity to TBA that is hard to explain. Games were fun to watch, you didn't want to miss a game no matter the opponent. He brought confidence and that lead to his teams playing with a sort of swagger about them. I am tired of the excuses. The man lied about a BBQ....

FREE BRUCE PEARL

 

[volfan2024]

It's better to forgive BP just like we forgive guys that serve time for their crime. If I had never lied in my life as no one has ever done that I could understand. He lied, he was wrong, he has served his punishment, he's not going away, he loves UT, kinda stupid not to bring him back to this unfortunately bball program stalled in mediocrity. I understand the opposing views and respect them but I fill mine is more reasonable.And I will buy season tickets if he comes back, maybe four.

 

[Vol8188]

It's better to forgive BP just like we forgive guys that serve time for their crime. If I had never lied in my life as no one has ever done that I could understand. He lied, he was wrong, he has served his punishment, he's not going away, he loves UT, kinda stupid not to bring him back to this unfortunately bball program stalled in mediocrity. I understand the opposing views and respect them but I fill mine is more reasonable.And I will buy season tickets if he comes back, maybe four.

+1

 

[knowthevols]

It's better to forgive BP just like we forgive guys that serve time for their crime. If I had never lied in my life as no one has ever done that I could understand. He lied, he was wrong, he has served his punishment, he's not going away, he loves UT, kinda stupid not to bring him back to this unfortunately bball program stalled in mediocrity. I understand the opposing views and respect them but I fill mine is more reasonable.And I will buy season tickets if he comes back, maybe four.

I agree. If we can get Bruce back maybe we can get the weekly caravans started back up to Knoxville again like when Bruce was coaching.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

It's better to forgive BP just like we forgive guys that serve time for their crime. If I had never lied in my life as no one has ever done that I could understand. He lied, he was wrong, he has served his punishment, he's not going away, he loves UT, kinda stupid not to bring him back to this unfortunately bball program stalled in mediocrity. I understand the opposing views and respect them but I fill mine is more reasonable.And I will buy season tickets if he comes back, maybe four.

If it were that simple, yeah. But it's not, and if you think it is, you're being naive.

 

[Sandvol]

Here is the reason Bruce Pearl in all likelihood will not come back and it has nothing to do with the NCAA and everything to do with fear. If you can for a minute imagine how this thing would play out. If Hart was brave enough to decide to do it then he would have to convince Cheeks. If he could convince Cheeks then they would have to convince Dipietro. If they could convince Dipietro then they would have to convince the BOT and the Governor. If it ever got that far at some point along the chain somebody's going to say, "Well you go ahead and hire Pearl but it's all on you and if anything happens it's your job and we won't have your back." These guys are politicians. They are not brave people. One of the old adages is "bravery and stupidity go hand in hand". These guys aren't stupid. That's why you never see politicians on the battlefield.

 

[Vol8188]

Here is the reason Bruce Pearl in all likelihood will not come back and it has nothing to do with the NCAA and everything to do with fear. If you can for a minute imagine how this thing would play out. If Hart was brave enough to decide to do it then he would have to convince Cheeks. If he could convince Cheeks then they would have to convince Dipietro. If they could convince Dipietro then they would have to convince the BOT and the Governor. If it ever got that far at some point along the chain somebody's going to say, "Well you go ahead and hire Pearl but it's all on you and if anything happens it's your job and we won't have your back." These guys are politicians. They are not brave people. One of the old adages is "bravery and stupidity go hand in hand". These guys aren't stupid. That's why you never see politicians on the battlefield.

The Governor hires coaches?

 

[knowthevols]

The Governor hires coaches?

The governor is by default the chairman of the board for UT. However the governor and Bruce are big buddies, the owner of Hackney's is another off and on again board member and gave Bruce a job to keep him in Knoxville which I thought was passing strange. HMMMMMMMMMM he'll be back.

 

[Vol8188]

The governor is by default the chairman of the board for UT. However the governor and Bruce are big buddies, the owner of Hackney's is another off and on again board member and gave Bruce a job to keep him in Knoxville which I thought was passing strange. HMMMMMMMMMM he'll be back.

I'll be the happiest man in the world if he is.

 

[olbemw7]

Here is the reason Bruce Pearl in all likelihood will not come back and it has nothing to do with the NCAA and everything to do with fear. If you can for a minute imagine how this thing would play out. If Hart was brave enough to decide to do it then he would have to convince Cheeks. If he could convince Cheeks then they would have to convince Dipietro. If they could convince Dipietro then they would have to convince the BOT and the Governor. If it ever got that far at some point along the chain somebody's going to say, "Well you go ahead and hire Pearl but it's all on you and if anything happens it's your job and we won't have your back." These guys are politicians. They are not brave people. One of the old adages is "bravery and stupidity go hand in hand". These guys aren't stupid. That's why you never see politicians on the battlefield.

SIAP that BP and The Governor were seen buying a Christmas ham together at Costco. I like our chances here, TIFWIW

 

[BadJerry20]

The Governor hires coaches?

William J. Le Petomane to be precise

 

[VolStudent5]

Students would fill it up, alumni fans as well. It would be awesome!

 

[VolStudent5]

Swallow your pride. Bring him back

 

[Souce]

Great idea! Let's do it!

 

[Shaun1985]

Step away from the pipe

 

[VolStudent5]

Step away from the pipe

Keep enforcing losing then