Is Bruce Pearl headed to Indiana after season?

[hawg IQ]

I have heard this- anybody "know" if this might be a possibility?

[ALLVOL]

I hope not but they are going to offer it seems. Pearl has a home as long as he wants it at UT and money will be no problem. I hope he stays.

[HogK]

I hope not but they are going to offer it seems. Pearl has a home as long as he wants it at UT and money will be no problem. I hope he stays.

Hmmm, a sunshiney Vol fan.  Money will be no problem?  Are you sure TN is prepared to offer a basketball coach what IU is going to offer a basketball coach?  Especially considering the turmoil that is soon to go down in your football program.  You're going to need a lot of money for your new football coach next December. 

[HOGWILD_F4I]

damn.. those guys on the IU forum have about two to three big name coaches rumored to be interested in the IU job

[farmhawg]

I hope he goes....better for us.

[Razorhog2006q]

Hmmm, a sunshiney Vol fan.  Money will be no problem?  Are you sure TN is prepared to offer a basketball coach what IU is going to offer a basketball coach?  Especially considering the turmoil that is soon to go down in your football program.  You're going to need a lot of money for your new football coach next December. 

I don't think money will be the deciding factor in whether or not Pearl goes to Indiana. He loses his bread and butter perimeter shooting with Lofton and JuJuan Smith's departure and from what I can tell, he hasn't done much to replace that talent for next season. Also, Indiana will be much easier to recruit to and obviously has a ton of tradition. Honestly, unless he were a Tennessee alum, I think he would have to be crazy to not take the job.

[WilsonHog]

Pearl did an interview for Bryant Gumbel's Real Sports on HBO. He told the reporter who did the piece that he expected Indiana to come after him.

[IndyHog76]

The only names I've heard mentioned up here in Indianapolis are Pearl, Scott Skiles, and the Marquette coach.

[Bacon The Saddle Again]

Surely they're going to be sanctioned for 100+ phone calls during a dead period.  They're possibly losing their best two players to the NBA draft plus some kind of probation/sanctions....I know it's Indiana, but it gets less and less attractive all the time.

[PorkSoda]

If I was Pearl I would stay in the SEC were he can continue building a solid program.

[LRCentralTiger]

Pearl did an interview for Bryant Gumbel's Real Sports on HBO. He told the reporter who did the piece that he expected Indiana to come after him.

Correct.  Did Pearl not also say he was happy and as long as Tennessee thought he was doing a good job he would be there?  Or something close to that.

[The Realist]

Money will not be a problem at TN.  They found the money for his new renovations in less than 2 years.  Pearl is king of East TN, would be surprised if he left for a program that is in shambles regardless of past history.
Also, Indiana rivals board says TN is getting ready to extend Pearl's contract in the area of 2.4 million per year.

[Bacon The Saddle Again]

Between Calipari at Memphis and Pearl at UT, it's going to be a hard nut to crack to get our pipeline in Memphis rolling again.

[Wild Bill Hog]

Pearl would be crazy to leave TN for IU.  Wouldn't get any more money, but would get tons more pressure.  The only reason I could think of would be to coach the #1 sport at a school VS taking a back seat to football at TN.

[LRCentralTiger]

How about Rick Pitino?  Be a great fit for IU.

[HoopS]

There are but a handful of programs in the country that he would possibly leave for.  IU is one of the ones that may have the stroke to pull it off.

In the history of college basketball, you lump Indiana in with the UNC's, Kentuckys, UCLAs and a few others.  Remember this time last year, BG had taken A&M to all time highs, and then one of the primo jobs came open and off to Kentucky he goes. 

NCAA sanctions could certainly sway him towards staying put.  But sure, he said he would stay at Tennessee as long as they would have him.  Of course he would say that.  Let's see what happens when the offer comes.  And it should.

Speaking of history, he's got history with that part of the country.  I remember vividly talking with an Illinois fan when Pearl was making an NCAAT run with Wisc-Milwaukee.  The guy HATED Pearl..."but he's a damn good coach".  Something about a dispute that had happened a few years prior to that run.....

Illinois fans hate him.....sounds like a good fit at Indiana.

[razorshark]

Maybe they will go after Coach Numb Nuts at Creighton

[ErieHog]

If I was Pearl I would stay in the SEC were he can continue building a solid program.

I just don't see that.   He's at UT, where he can *never* emerge from the shadow of UT football, and is forever doomed to look into the rafters and see that Women's Basketball will constantly overshadow his program until Pat Summit is gone.

Pearl can move on to one of the Top 10 programs in the history of basketball, into a conference where his playing style will be dominant amongst a load of slow, plodding teams.

[TNhawgfan]

If Pearl does leave TN for IU, it is going to floor everyone here in TN.  They don't think he would leave UT for any school in the country.  Seriously, they really think he is here for life.  I honestly don't think he will go either, but if he does, it will be chaos here (and that would be a beautiful thing!) :razorback:

[ALLVOL]

Hmmm, a sunshiney Vol fan.  Money will be no problem?  Are you sure TN is prepared to offer a basketball coach what IU is going to offer a basketball coach?  Especially considering the turmoil that is soon to go down in your football program.  You're going to need a lot of money for your new football coach next December. 

CBP is king right now in Tennessee. Mike Hamilton (our new AD) hired him and he is the crown jewel for his career right now and he wont let him go easily. UT can and will out spend IU. As far as our football coach goes. Who knows what will happen with all the coaching changes that has happened. But Pearl will have all the money and resources he needs.

[ALLVOL]

I just don't see that.   He's at UT, where he can *never* emerge from the shadow of UT football, and is forever doomed to look into the rafters and see that Women's Basketball will constantly overshadow his program until Pat Summit is gone.

Pearl can move on to one of the Top 10 programs in the history of basketball, into a conference where his playing style will be dominant amongst a load of slow, plodding teams.

You guys dont realize the transformation that has occured under CBP. He has turned UT into a basketball school seemingly over night. The fans LOVE him and so do the donors and alumni. He is in no ones shadow at UT.

[The Realist]

You guys dont realize the transformation that has occured under CBP. He has turned UT into a basketball school seemingly over night. The fans LOVE him and so do the donors and alumni. He is in no ones shadow at UT.

Your right.  They don't realize alot of things about UT.  Blind ignorance will do that to you.

[ALLVOL]

Enlighten us on what we are missing. 

Tenn has been one of the richest athletic programs for decades so we know they can pay for Pearl just as A&M could have given BG a huge salary if that is what it would have taken and what they wanted to do.  And Tenn fans are currently excited about their team and are paying attention and attending games.  We get it.  What else? 

Thats why I said it wont be money that he leaves for. But he is king right now and can get what ever he wants. When he speaks at a function it is hard to get in. He draws bigger than any coach we currently have on staff. The fans have overwhelmingly addopted him.

[ErieHog]

Thats why I said it wont be money that he leaves for. But he is king right now and can get what ever he wants. When he speaks at a function it is hard to get in. He draws bigger than any coach we currently have on staff. The fans have overwhelmingly addopted him.

The same can be said for Coach Petrino; it doesn't make Arkansas a football school, though.

[ALLVOL]

The same can be said for Coach Petrino; it doesn't make Arkansas a football school, though.

I consider Arky a football school. I think most people do as well. Football and Basketball. One of the few schools to be able to pull off both. In the SEC it would be Hogs and UF.

[ALLVOL]

The same can be said for Coach Petrino; it doesn't make Arkansas a football school, though.

Also that is very rare for UT to have a Mens Basketball coach that can draw like that.   

[woooo_pig]

One name I can't believe I didn't see, even Duke Vitale brought it up. Robert Montgomery Knight. Vitale said he SHOULD be the next coach at Indiana and you can't think Indiana basketball without the name "Knight". Didn't Knight step down at the first whimper of the Sampson scandle?

[ColonelNutt]

I just don't see that.   He's at UT, where he can *never* emerge from the shadow of UT football, and is forever doomed to look into the rafters and see that Women's Basketball will constantly overshadow his program until Pat Summit is gone.

Pearl can move on to one of the Top 10 programs in the history of basketball, into a conference where his playing style will be dominant amongst a load of slow, plodding teams.

To suggest he's in the shadow of football is reasonable.  To suggest Bruce Pearl is living under the shadow of Pat Summit is laughable.  The major shadow Pearl is in right now is Calipari and frankly i'm not surprised you failed to acknowlege that.

[Hogginitall]

Your right.  They don't realize alot of things about UT.  Blind ignorance will do that to you.

Would you mind telling me, in all your wisdom, what incorrect spelling/grammar will do to a person?

By the way, his right has nothing to do with this!

[PorkerOinker]

Believe what you want but there is very strong interest on both sides of this. Some at IU are very interested in Pearl while others worry of his rumored lack of academic control and thugish style players. Pearl has also shown interest according to some circles, but it will take a lot of maoney and I mean a lot to lure him away from UT.

[TN HOG]

Brucers coached at Southern Indiana from 1992 -2001

Maybe he would like to be the "Big Show" in town now.

[WilsonHog]

One name I can't believe I didn't see, even Duke Vitale brought it up. Robert Montgomery Knight. Vitale said he SHOULD be the next coach at Indiana and you can't think Indiana basketball without the name "Knight". Didn't Knight step down at the first whimper of the Sampson scandle?

I love Bobby Knight, but no way in hell does that happen.

The IU President would have to give Knight a hummer before a standing-room only crowd at Assemby Hall before Knight would even consider it.

[Razorod]

Dick Vitale needs to go.

Tony Bennett for IU if Pearl isn't coming.

that's the name that makes the most sense to me.

[HoopS]

All I'm saying is this situation is a lot like Gillespie at Aggie U.  He turned them into a contender in no time flat.  The Aggies have money.  He was king.   Their football situation, with Fran, was not popular.  But BG was.   Oh, he will never leave.....why leave such a great situation that he created?

Why?

To go to one of the most storied programs in the country.   

He may or may not leave you guys, and frankly, I like you having an exciting team....makes our conference better.  But if they come calling, just be prepared for what could happen. 

Another similarity is that they were losing the heart and soul of that team in Law.  You're losing Lofton. 

It may not happen, but trust me, I'm well aware of your situation.

[ALLVOL]

All I'm saying is this situation is a lot like Gillespie at Aggie U.  He turned them into a contender in no time flat.  The Aggies have money.  He was king.   Their football situation, with Fran, was not popular.  But BG was.   Oh, he will never leave.....why leave such a great situation that he created?

Why?

To go to one of the most storied programs in the country.  

He may or may not leave you guys, and frankly, I like you having an exciting team....makes our conference better.  But if they come calling, just be prepared for what could happen. 

Another similarity is that they were losing the heart and soul of that team in Law.  You're losing Lofton. 

It may not happen, but trust me, I'm well aware of your situation.

Lofton is a huge part of this team but ATM relied more on Law than UT does Lofton. Before this season that was the case but not now.
It wont be due to money. UT will spend to keep him. If he leaves it will be for other reasons. Right now I say he will be at UT next year.

[HoopS]

Agreed on all points.

I'm not being critical of your stature, it's just that Indiana is a serious heavy-hitter and in some cases, that trumps money. 

[ALLVOL]

Agreed on all points.

I'm not being critical of your stature, it's just that Indiana is a serious heavy-hitter and in some cases, that trumps money. 

Agree.

[The Realist]

Enlighten us on what we are missing. 

Tenn has been one of the richest athletic programs for decades so we know they can pay for Pearl just as A&M could have given BG a huge salary if that is what it would have taken and what they wanted to do.  And Tenn fans are currently excited about their team and are paying attention and attending games.  We get it.  What else? 

was not speaking to you.  More of the ones who blindly trash anything to do with UT with distorting facts.

[Razorback Pastor]

I hope he stays. I think he's good for UT and Good for th SEC!

Bash on....I don't care.....it's true!

He brings excitement and at least a sweet 16 contender....so....good for the SEC!

[The real Hogules]

How many head coaches is Indiana going to have?

I've seen it posted on the IU message board that they have Rick Pitino "in the bag" and now they are going to get Bruce Pearl.

My question would be why didn't they get one of these guys last time as opposed to settling for Kelvin (can you hear me now) Sampson?

Oh, and there's also this.............................


Rumor alert: IU wants to talk to Bruce Pearl
By Big A | March 23, 2008


I'm usually not big on rumors, after all, anyone can make something up and hope it comes true, but during the impending coaching search, we're sure to hear a little bit of this and a little bit of that. So to preface this, it's a rumor. But we wouldn't be doing our job if we didn't pass it along.

The word out of the East Region in Birmingham, Alabama is that Indiana has asked Tennessee for permission to speak to coach Bruce Pearl. Reportedly, a Tennessee coach said Pearl hasn't said a word to his staff.

With that said, Pearl was on Real Sports on HBO with Bryant Gumbel recently and off camera, he said that he knew Indiana would come calling and that he had no interest in the job.

So I'm not really sure to make of this. One would think if IU did make the call, Pearl would surely listen to their pitch after the season. Worst case scenario, he'll get a raise from good ol' Rocky Top. I'm sure this will make PostmanE happy, but am I the only one who thinks photos like these are a cause for concern when discussing Pearl's candidacy? It's one thing to get a photo with your favorite coach, but these just strike me as a bit over the top. Also, the headbands would have to go.

[The Boar War]

I love Bobby Knight, but no way in hell does that happen.

The IU President would have to give Knight a hummer before a standing-room only crowd at Assemby Hall before Knight would even consider it.

I thought man on man sex would be a deal breaker not a deal maker.  That Bobby Knight is a perverted miscreant.

[PeytonManningSUCKS]

I hope not but they are going to offer it seems. Pearl has a home as long as he wants it at UT and money will be no problem. I hope he stays.

They'll have to pay him more than Pat Summit, which I think is unprecedented in Vol land right?  I may be wrong, but I heard the Men's and Women's coaches have always been paid around the same in basketball at TN.

This will be when they do it though.  He's got the TN program on track and they don't want to derail that.

[UroHog]

The only names I've heard mentioned up here in Indianapolis are Pearl, Scott Skiles, and the Marquette coach.

I smited you just in case you're one of the two dorks in the picture.

1793

[LRCentralTiger]

They'll have to pay him more than Pat Summit, which I think is unprecedented in Vol land right?  I may be wrong, but I heard the Men's and Women's coaches have always been paid around the same in basketball at TN.

This will be when they do it though.  He's got the TN program on track and they don't want to derail that.

From 6WATE.com - Pearl's contract from last year pays him $1.1 million in base salary, endorsements and other compensation for the 2006-07 season. It also extends his contract to 2012.  He probably will get an increase plus an extension.  If Phil can get an extension and bump in salary almost every year, you know Pearl will get the same deal.