Mark Wiedmer, Chat. Times-Press: Four days that could end Pearl's UT career

[jbcarol]

Some guys never learn from their mistakes. They just don't get it. Which is why Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl may get the NCAA rule book thrown at him when college athletics' governing body gets around to sentencing the Vols in June

But whatever his reasons, the NCAA isn't likely to take too kindly to Pearl breaking another recruiting rule -- however small it may have been -- a mere four days after crying a river of guilt.

Not that Pearl alone is to blame for this. Just as UT athletic director Mike Hamilton must shoulder some of the responsibility for the reckless behavior of former football coach Lane Kiffin and his staff since Hamilton hired him, Hamilton must also accept responsibility for Pearl.

After all, how sincere was that press conference and the declaration that Pearl and his assistants -- other than Jason Shay -- would be taken off the road, when, in fact, they were allowed to recruit for 11 more days?

Some would argue it was grandstanding at its worst. Perhaps every Hamilton and Pearl press release should now come with a disclaimer: Beware the fine print. In fact, even that September press conference failed to disclose that the school had torn up Pearl's contract over his NCAA violations. More than a month passed before UT admitted that rather large fact.

If Pearl's career is currently under the NCAA microscope, Hamilton's management of his highest profile employees is surely on the UT brass's radar.

So there is clearly a lot for both the NCAA and the UT board of trustees to digest here.

Yet all of it might neatly have gone away if only Pearl had told the truth. But he didn't. He lied. Far worse, he encouraged others to lie for him, including recruits and their family members.

http://www.timesfreepress.com/staff/mark-wiedmer/contact/

[Happy Hogger]

Living in Tennessee I get to hear all about the unfair NCAA attacking poor Coach Pearl, the same way they supported Kiffin when he was talking crap and committing violations at a record pace.  Of course Kiffin is a lying cheat now, per the Vol fans.  Wonder how they would feel about Pearl if he were to leave.  He will likely skirt by with little or no more sanctions and go back to his cheating ways--all with the blessing and support of the Big Orange Nation.

[PeabodyHawg]

Living in Tennessee I get to hear all about the unfair NCAA attacking poor Coach Pearl, the same way they supported Kiffin when he was talking crap and committing violations at a record pace.  Of course Kiffin is a lying cheat now, per the Vol fans.  Wonder how they would feel about Pearl if he were to leave.  He will likely skirt by with little or no more sanctions and go back to his cheating ways--all with the blessing and support of the Big Orange Nation.

I see the same thing from most Tenner fans in North Alabama.  When Kiffie was thumbing his nose at the NCAA they thought it was the cutest thing since the Puppy Bowl.  After he left their butts, he's the Anti Christ.  Watch and you'll see the same reaction when Pearl is shown the fastest way out of Knox County.

[psooie]

The vols can't fire him untill the ncaa comes down with the hammer otherwise they would owe him his contract. When the ncaa gives him a show cause, he will be fired but the problem for ut is it will be so late, might be hard to find a coach.

[The Realist]

If nothing else comes out, pearl will not be fired -that comes from within the AD. You have to look at the case precedent with calhoun and izzo. Him getting fired is the rest of the SECs pipe dream.
And the "violation" 4 days after that was because he said hello to a kid at oak hill...a kid UT never recruited or even offered but since there was some kind of informal greeting it had to be reported.   

[Jeffcphog]

The lying and attempting to get other people to lie for him will get him fired.  Not the original violation.

[jbcarol]

Video of Former Coach Don DeVoe who weighs in at Big Orange Tip Off Club

[jbcarol]

"When I worked here at the University of Tennessee, if all that had happened, I would be greatly surprised if (former UT officials) Bob Woodruff or Dr. (Ed) Boling would have supported me as long as the University of Tennessee has supported coach Pearl,'' DeVoe said after speaking to the Big Orange TipOff Club at Calhoun's on the River on Wednesday. "It's really unfortunate, and I don't know where this is gonna end, but it has certainly marred the image of Tennessee men's basketball.''

[The Realist]

Pretty obvious why ut will support him. When you're the winningest coach in the SEC over the last 5 years and you've turned around a program like that, you will find the support. Of course they wouldn't support him if he was mediocre. All about the benjamins. But you can't say that's wrong in todays college athletics arms race.

[jbcarol]

Story: Mark Story: Arrogant Pearl headed for a fall
Expect NCAA to get rough with Tennessee coach

The tragic element is that a coach who had to schlep around the bus leagues of college sports for so long after the Thomas affair only to finally get a shot at the big time — and thrive once there — has put himself in this position.

It's easy to understand why Tennessee is reluctant to part with Pearl.

He brought winning, an up-tempo style of play, winning, a big personality, winning, a sense of fun, winning, public relations genius, winning, winning and winning.

Just last spring, the Volunteers were one victory away from a UT's men's Final Four trip.

Maybe ever.