The Bruce Pearl Thread

[Vol8188]

I dont think Z is debating it, he's saying he's not some top 10 coach and he got one game further than Green. I don't see anywhere in his post that he says Jerry Green was better than Pearl, do you?

If you asked Z straight up, who's the best basketball coach Tennessee has ever had,
I'm guessing he would say Pearl.

He said Pearl wasn't elite, and that's enough to bother me.

 

[Freak]

Jerry Green did everything Pearl did except advance one game in the tournament.

I get tired of people acting like Pearl was a top ten coach and reached the pinnacle of the sport.

Pearl was a solid coach. He did a very good job at Tennessee. I like talking about some of those memories. Pearl did a very good job his first five years here.

But just because Cuonzo isn't doing well right now doesn't mean Pearl is some sort of elite basketball coach.

Yeah, the Jerry Green debate. :lol: You can't convince me you really believe that so I'm not touching it.

And Cuonzo's failures don't affect Pearl's legacy at all. Zo has proven to be an NIT caliber coach this far. We all hope he turns it around.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I agree. I don't want to see Martin get fired either. I just want the Vols to win be relevant again and fill up TBA. But, if Martin is gone next season, I would prefer someone like Pearl. He made it really fun to be a BB Vol fan.

I agree. Someone like Butch, high energy that will get the casual fans as well as students excited.

Most of all though you have to win, fans will show up if you're winning, even if you aren't some high energy guy. That works both ways though, fans will stop showing if you're losing and are a high energy guy.

 

[gunner]

Jerry Green did everything Pearl did except advance one game in the tournament.

I get tired of people acting like Pearl was a top ten coach and reached the pinnacle of the sport.

Pearl was a solid coach. He did a very good job at Tennessee. I like talking about some of those memories. Pearl did a very good job his first five years here.

But just because Cuonzo isn't doing well right now doesn't mean Pearl is some sort of elite basketball coach.

Green was a decent but boring coach, he had tons of talent too. UT basketball won with him but he still couldn't fill TBA like BP did. BP made UT basketball really fun.

 

[Freak]

Is anyone debating it?

Honestly, I don't know what's being debated exactly.

 

[Vol8188]

I agree. Someone like Butch, high energy that will get the casual fans as well as students excited.

Most of all though you have to win, fans will show up if you're winning, even if you aren't some high energy guy. That works both ways though, fans will stop showing if you're losing and are a high energy guy.

I'd take the guy you're describing. Someone who excites the fan base and wins games.

The only place you and I disagree, is that I think we should go with the guy who has already proven he can do that here.

 

[Freak]

I was there for that one. Almost at the very top row of TBA, but that was the best game I've ever attended, unreal comeback.

Were there any empty seats around you? I'm guessing it was packed. It was where I was sitting. We agree though, it was a great memory. Those are the kind of games and wins we would all like to see from Cuonzo. Hopefully he gets us there.

 

[Freak]

Lol... not a great metaphor Z. They don't teach Mears to 3rd graders

 

[zjcvols]

So name the five previous coaches before Mears and tell me a bit about each one.

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.

 

[wU-Tang Vol]

Honestly, I don't know what's being debated exactly.

.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

He said Pearl wasn't elite, and that's enough to bother me.

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.

 

[zjcvols]

Lol... not a great metaphor Z. They don't teach Mears to 3rd graders

Not everyone had awesome grandfathers and fathers then

 

[GAVol]

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

You also didn't read the question correctly.

 

[zjcvols]

Yeah, the Jerry Green debate. :lol: You can't convince me you really believe that so I'm not touching it.

And Cuonzo's failures don't affect Pearl's legacy at all. Zo has proven to be an NIT caliber coach this far. We all hope he turns it around.

Pearl was the better coach but the point being for other people that it's not exactly impossible to win here.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

I'd take the guy you're describing. Someone who excites the fan base and wins games.

The only place you and I disagree, is that I think we should go with the guy who has already proven he can do that here.

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

 

[Freak]

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.

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:

 

[zjcvols]

You also didn't read the question correctly.

Dammit.

My fingers hurt for nothing now!

 

[Vol8188]

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.

Green and Peterson were before Mears?

Edit: I see I was a bit late.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Were there any empty seats around you? I'm guessing it was packed. It was where I was sitting. We agree though, it was a great memory. Those are the kind of games and wins we would all like to see from Cuonzo. Hopefully he gets us there.

Not really, a few singles here and there, but it was as full as I've ever seen it.

 

[Freak]

Dammit.

My fingers hurt for nothing now!

It was still a good post. :lol:

 

[gunner]

Yeah, the Jerry Green debate. :lol: You can't convince me you really believe that so I'm not touching it.

And Cuonzo's failures don't affect Pearl's legacy at all. Zo has proven to be an NIT caliber coach this far. We all hope he turns it around.

I think that we all can agree that we hope Zo can get it turned around. He's been less that stellar on the court, but he has a pretty good roster of players that he has recruited.

If he does get canned it won't take the next guy too long to get to the NCAA tourney with this roster.

 

[GAVol]

Not really, a few singles here and there, but it was as full as I've ever seen it.

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

 

[vols 30]

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.

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

 

[zjcvols]

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

That should be an 18,000 person arena...

And that still might be too many

 

[bleedingTNorange]

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

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.