Pearl coming to Knoxville?

[OmahaBound]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2021706

Out of the guys listed in this article, who would you Volunteer fans prefer?

[OrangeCrush]

With the exception of Lutz, I'd take the other three. All have their strong points. Altmon is considered one of the above average X's and O's/fundamentals coaches out there. If you have seen Tennessee Basektball, you know there is a need for this. He has turned down Georgia and Illinois before, so call me skeptical that he would want to come to Knoxville. Anderson plays the 40 minutes of hell style and is known to be a top-flight recruiter. I think he could do well in Knoxville. Pearl looks like the full package, but it is hard to make a judgement on a guy by seeing only two games played this year. He gets points for the agressive style of play his teams show, the ability to promote the game, his resume, and a reccomendation by former Vol great and current GM of the Washington Wizards Ernie Grunfeld. His run to the sweet 16 has opened a lot of eyes.

[fernandomike]

I am really pleased with the rumored list of finalists. Anderson, Pearl, and Altman all look like fine coaches. I think that Lutz has fallen back a bit. He keeps losing early in the tournament and doesn't seem to stress defense to the degree that Vols players need it stressed to them. I would be ecstatic with any of the other three though.

[fernandomike]

Well, I just read that Anderson and Altman have taken themselves out of the picture leaving Lutz and Pearl. Pearl is believed to be the frontrunner. Hopefully, we can land him. We don't need to be turned down by a bunch of guys and end up with our least favorite candidate. That happened a few years back when we hired Jerry Green.

[supergenius]

Pearl will fit right in on the hill. He is a part time inspector and private eye just like Phat Phil. RTR

[OrangeCrush]

There will be a press conference in Knoxville at 3pm today to announce the hiring of Bruce Pearl.

[Jay_Lupo]

Pearl will fit right in on the hill. He is a part time inspector and private eye just like Phat Phil. RTR


That's pretty funny :)))

I think Pearl is a good coach and UT would be doing pretty good if they landed him, but Mike Anderson was the best coach in that group.

[OrangeCrush]

That's pretty funny :)))

I think Pearl is a good coach and UT would be doing pretty good if they landed him, but Mike Anderson was the best coach in that group.

Do you think your bias is showing just a little bit? :D I'm just messing with you. If you are an Anderson fan, then you should like Pearl. He likes to get after opposing teams with a 1-2-1-1 full court pressure. Like Anderson, his players play with a good attitude and plenty of hustle. The major advantage I would give Anderson over Pearl is recruiting in the southeast. Anderson has done it well before and seems on the right track at UAB. Pearl has done well up in the midwest, but the south is a different breed for sure. I also think Pearl's ability to promote played a large role in his hire. If you have seen the lack of attendance for the Vols home games, you understand why this had to be taken into consideration. The best thing for Bruce Pearl is the reccomendation he was given by current Washington Wizards GM(and former UT great) Ernie Grunfeld. When the Vols hired Buzz Peterson last time, Grunfeld offered up Jay Wright to the search committee. The president overrulled and Buzzball happened in Knoxville.

My biggest fear with Anderson is that he will replace Calliperi(sp) at Memphis in the next 5 years. That is going to hurt the Vols big time if Anderson gets the Memphis job. I'd say Anderson would have a shot at Arkansas if Heath does not work out, but Broyles will not let go of the feelings for Nolan and Mike Anderson will be guilty by association. I hope I am wrong, but I doubt it.

[fernandomike]

Pearl will fit right in on the hill. He is a part time inspector and private eye just like Phat Phil. RTR

Yes, the person who ironically refers to himself as supergenius is quite funny. Still, what kind of world do we live in where the informant is reviled while the guilty is revered? That kind of mentally is usually reserved for those who are presently incarcerated.

[supergenius]

Somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed today!

[supergenius]

Pearl just released a secret audio tape that indicates the whereabouts of Jimmy Hoffa, and D.B Cooper.

[BHAND05]

It gets a little ridiculous when people decide that doing the right thing is wrong, but when the whole system is wrong in the first place how can we call Fulmer the not guilty and Alabama the guilty party when in fact everyone does something wrong. Fulmer just wanted to make sure that he looked out for number one, so that maybe one day he could be back at No. 1 in the rankings.

[fernandomike]

Pearl just released a secret audio tape that indicates the whereabouts of Jimmy Hoffa, and D.B Cooper.

Neither of these is dead as they have recently been spotted taking college entrance exams for prospective university of alabama student-athletes. :D

[Neo]

Neither of these is dead as they have recently been spotted taking college entrance exams for prospective university of alabama student-athletes. :D


OUCH!!!!!!! :eek: :cool:

[JerryBeeds]

I think Pearl is a great coach but I wonder if he'll be able to recruit in the south.

[fernandomike]

Jerry,
your pictures are hilarious. also, you pose a very good question. people who know him claim that he has a dynamite personality and could recruit anywhere. i think that it remains to be seen and really is his biggest question mark. the guy can coach. there should be little doubt about that.

[supergenius]

Neither of these is dead as they have recently been spotted taking college entrance exams for prospective university of alabama student-athletes. :D
Has anyone actually seen Gerald Riggs in a classroom?

[supergenius]

Pearl will just be another in the long line of "tourney hires". Beating Bama in the 1st round seems to be the criteria for landing a job in the SEC. But Stan Heath and Buzz have discovered that playing in a big boy conference is much tougher than mid-major land.

[fernandomike]

Supergenius, if you are privy to some information regarding Riggs and his study habits please share it with the group. I have a feeling that you are engaging in speculation. If you were to review my thoughts on Mike Ford you would find that I am hesitant to disparage a student-athlete based on nothing more than rumor. Its just not fair to them. Perhaps, you should consider doing the same. However, if you have some credible piece of information about his present study habits, then I am willing to listen. What I am saying is that it is better to disparage with facts than with rumor. This is the whole basis behind the concepts of libel and slander.

[supergenius]

I will keep that in mind Perry Mason.

[supergenius]

Actually Nando is right and I am am wrong. I am not to proud to admit it. BTW Pearl just landed the role of John Giotti in an upcoming tv movie.

[fernandomike]

No problem, Mike Price.

[supergenius]

You are welcome Wade Houston

[fernandomike]

Whatever, Mike DuBose. Ain't you kinda pot-bellied like Fulmer though without all the wins.

[supergenius]

Whatever, Mike DuBose. Ain't you kinda pot-bellied like Fulmer though without all the wins.
Yea, I guess but I have won an SEC Championship since Phat Phil has and I have been coaching HS the last 4 years. God Bless

[fernandomike]

Yes and Phat Phil has kicked your fat butt until it turned distinctly crimson. Good luck with the high school kiddies.

[JerryBeeds]

Yea, I guess but I have won an SEC Championship since Phat Phil has and I have been coaching HS the last 4 years. God Bless
Tell him to stay away from the secretaries. :cool:

[supergenius]

If that, and a blanket the size of Rhode Island keeps PF happy, then so be it. Tell Pearl to treasure that win over Gottfried, it will be his last. RTR

[JerryBeeds]

I know this is a bit off topic but do ya'll think its harder to start a basketball program or a football program from the ground up?

[supergenius]

Football by far, 85 players compared to 10 or 12.

[JerryBeeds]

It just seems to me your margin for error in football is far greater than in basketball. When you can bring in 85 players you can take a chance on an iffy kid. In basketball if you take a chance on someone who doesn't work out your screwed.

[fernandomike]

I care what my wife looks like. I do not care how my coach looks. I am sure that Bama hired Shula with your input. He is your kinda guy, isn't he? I can picture you at a game, high-powered binoculars aimed not at the action or even the cheerleaders, but right smack on your head coach. Four quarters of pure pleasure for you. You probably don't even know your players names. Its all about Shula. I hope he never gets fat, then you would have to go through another extensive search looking for someone with the proper QUALIFICATIONS.

[JerryBeeds]

I care what my wife looks like. I do not care how my coach looks. I am sure that Bama hired Shula with your input. He is your kinda guy, isn't he? I can picture you at a game, high-powered binoculars aimed not at the action or even the cheerleaders, but right smack on your head coach. Four quarters of pure pleasure for you. You probably don't even know your players names. Its all about Shula. I hope he never gets fat, then you would have to go through another extensive search looking for someone with the proper QUALIFICATIONS.
What's going to happen this year when UT goes to Bama. Are they actually going to have the highway patrol pick up PF? Or is all that resolved? Who cares how big Phil gets as long as he can coach em up. He's got a championship ring that says he can do that just fine. :cool:

[supergenius]

Fernando, anytime that you would like to compare football knowledge, let me know. I could attack Phat's utter lack of character and manipulating ways but his obesity is funnier. Yours Truly,
John Majors

[fernandomike]

[QUOTE=supergenius]Fernando, anytime that you would like to compare football knowledge, let me know. I could attack Phat's utter lack of character and manipulating ways but his obesity is funnier. Yours Truly,
John Majors[/QUOTE

you talk about obesity because that is all you have. you want to talk about wins, but you can't beat him. you want to excuse the losses by talking about how dirty he is, but again you have no basis for this. You got slammed by the ncaa for being dirty. that leaves fat jokes. wouldn't you rather have wins than a skinny coach? maybe not you, but I am sure the rest of the tide faithful would.
from your posts, i know two things about you. you are mildly entertaining and you prefer your coaches thin.

[supergenius]

The mildly entertaining remark really is a low blow. I deserve better! The rest does not warrant a reply. Just a question, can a team go a decade without winning there conference and still consider themselves a national power?

[supergenius]

Do you think that Pearl will import most of staff from Milwaukee or assemble a more "southern fried" staff?

[JerryBeeds]

Do you think that Pearl will import most of staff from Milwaukee or assemble a more "southern fried" staff?
If he's smart it'll be of the "southern fried" variety.

[fernandomike]

Sure. Some conferences are stronger than others. We know the SEC is loaded. You can conceivably be the number 2 team in the country and still lose your conference because the one team better than you is also a member. This would be rare, but possible. The top 2-3 SEC teams will always be a national power.
I know that your question was a loaded one. Ut has dropped some recently. But, we have no reason to be ashamed. We are still a top 10-15 program which makes us a national power and we beat you guys every year. We also brought in a real nice class of recruits so there may be more beatings forthcoming.

[fernandomike]

He's bringing two assistants according to what I heard. I don't know whether or not either have southern roots though.

[CarolinaGrad]

Congratulations to the UT basketball fans for getting Pearl as your new coach. However, I still think that UT will have a huge problem with the attendance at games. I live in East TN and have been to several basketball games. I have been amazed at the lack of fan support (low attendance, hardly any standing up and cheering). At the Carolina/UT game this season, I don't think there were more than 10 students in the student section. Talk radio stations have discussed this in depth, and I constantly hear people in Knoxville say that they don't care about men's basketball; that they only care about football. FrenandoMike, has it always been this way?

[fernandomike]

No, it hasn't. Remember that UT higher-ups were so confident about men's basketball that they built a 24,000 seat arena. The previous arena (Stokely Athletic Center) had a much better atmosphere and filled up for big games. I don't recall how many it held, but I would guess about 15,000. Their was plenty of passion from the fans back then.
Ut fans are fickle about men's basketball now. If we could have some sustained success, then people will turn out for games. But, they will not support a bad or even average team. There was decent attendance during Jerry Green's successful run, but his constant bickering with fans didn't help matters. I think that Pearl needs to have a decent year next year to keep this wave of momentum going since the Vols faithful seem excited about the hire. He appears to have quite a bit of personality so that combined with his exciting brand of basketball might help change things. If not, then once again, there will be plenty of good seats available at Thompson-Boling.

[jneesy]

pearl has gone from playing a good team every now and then to playing a beast evry time you suit up he will probably be reasonably successful but it will be awhile before he catches bama napping again

[Volnooga]

Just a question, can a team go a decade without winning there conference and still consider themselves a national power?

Can you not go to your conference's championship game for the same time span and even consider themselves a contender?

[CarolinaGrad]

No, it hasn't. Remember that UT higher-ups were so confident about men's basketball that they built a 24,000 seat arena. The previous arena (Stokely Athletic Center) had a much better atmosphere and filled up for big games. I don't recall how many it held, but I would guess about 15,000. Their was plenty of passion from the fans back then.
Ut fans are fickle about men's basketball now. If we could have some sustained success, then people will turn out for games. But, they will not support a bad or even average team. There was decent attendance during Jerry Green's successful run, but his constant bickering with fans didn't help matters. I think that Pearl needs to have a decent year next year to keep this wave of momentum going since the Vols faithful seem excited about the hire. He appears to have quite a bit of personality so that combined with his exciting brand of basketball might help change things. If not, then once again, there will be plenty of good seats available at Thompson-Boling.
Yeah, that's what I've heard on talk radio. Lots of UT fans want a smaller arena. I hope for the players' sake that the fans will support the team. It's been a sad situation. So many people around Knoxville are still divided about the Buzz situation; it seems like half wanted to give him another year and half wanted him gone. It's a bad situation because he really is a decent guy.

[fernandomike]

Yeah, that's what I've heard on talk radio. Lots of UT fans want a smaller arena. I hope for the players' sake that the fans will support the team. It's been a sad situation. So many people around Knoxville are still divided about the Buzz situation; it seems like half wanted to give him another year and half wanted him gone. It's a bad situation because he really is a decent guy.

That arena has to scare off a lot of coaches. Ut tried to be something that it is not (UK) and it burned our butts. As far as Buzz is concerned, most of the people who want to keep him want to because he is a really nice guy. That is obviously not a good reason to retain a struggling coach. Even those who argue that his four years have not been enough time, express very little optimism that he could turn it around with another season. I hate it for Buzz as he was a fine ambassador for the school, but you gotta win some games.

[CarolinaGrad]

That arena has to scare off a lot of coaches. Ut tried to be something that it is not (UK) and it burned our butts. As far as Buzz is concerned, most of the people who want to keep him want to because he is a really nice guy. That is obviously not a good reason to retain a struggling coach. Even those who argue that his four years have not been enough time, express very little optimism that he could turn it around with another season. I hate it for Buzz as he was a fine ambassador for the school, but you gotta win some games.
I agree about the Buzz situation. I just wish it could have been handled a little better, like giving him more notice. I heard that Buzz is the leading candidate for the job at Coastal Carolina. It should fit in better at a smaller school. UT is just going to have to get rid of the older people who don't like people cheering and also get better seating for the students. From what I hear about Pearl, he may be the man to accomplish that.

[jneesy]

why a smaller arena the lady vols have filled every one of those seats a bunch of times and the statistics show the girls average 13 to 16k a game. the seats will fill if you give them a product worth watching . we were complaining about our arena size before gotfried arrived, mark rearranged some seating (including a much improved student section) and it doesn't seem to be a problem now

[supergenius]

According to John Ward, UT gives away alot of tickets to the Lady Vols' games. He made the comment circa '97 when asked why the men could not fill up the cave like the women. He caught a little flack but, since he was a legend and I guess what he said had some merit, the situation faded into obsurity.

[jneesy]

if that is what they gotta do to fill the seats it pays off in the end

[Volnooga]

I agree.... With the product they are offering now all seats should be free, first come, first serve. If Pearl can turn the team around, then they can start a small charge and as the team improves, ticket price can increase.

I do miss the good ole days of stokely arena. Man that place used to get ROWDY.

[Neo]

BTW: Congrats on hiring Pearl.....

[jneesy]

that "its a football school" is just bunk the best part of roundball season is after football season is over and lots of school load the stand for both sports plus some others for good measure

[jbuzbee]

I think Pearl will be good...you should just hope he doesn't turn out like the last mid-major coach that the SEC got following a good showing in the NCAA tourney.....