Is there a doubt he lied to the NCAA? Is there a chance that there is more underneath and that the Vols will let him go? If he did in fact lie, does he have a plauseable explanation?
I know that there would have to be much more to the iceberg than what we have seen for him to be let go. We'll just have to wait and see.
Does the "self" reporting include Pearl lying to NCAA investigators? I don't think anybody questions Pearls coaching ability, but deliberately lying to NCAA invetigators has to raise a lot of flags with regards to his ethics, wouldn't you say so? Or do you feel that as far as you know all has been reasonably explained?
I only know of course what I read online which is conflicting. Your AD Hamilton terminated him with the following ... So how can your AD write that and then immediately begin negotiations for a new contract, even one where his salary is lowered?
You make an excellent point Terry. I'm going to have to roll this one over a while. I am definitely not a "win at any cost" fan. Yet Bruce Pearl too this program from high school level to a NCAA Tourney capable team +. It is a very difficult decision to remove someone that has brought life to you program like Pearl has. On another thought. Let's say that Hamilton had let him go. How many programs, including ND would be knocking at his door?
Good point, although I don't think ND would be interested if he had NCAA issues hanging over his head. A very good program took Kelvin Sampson (IU) and got burned not only was his NCAA problems from OU not resolved in his favor he continued the behavior at IU. Bad mistake on the part of IU. Although I am hesitant to compare the cases. Pearl certainly seems to have done much for the Tenn program, he's been a big supporter of the Womens team as well (not that Pat needed his help). So I can understand your reticence to kick him to the curb and give him a chance to explain all and no doubt some transgressions are lesser than others and 2nd chances appropriate.
Kelvin Sampson and the idiots who hired him, the AD and university president, brought a once great program to its knees, literally. It will be years before IU has a chance to return to elite status, if ever.
Lying to the NCAA by a player has dire consequences for example all of the football players in the agent mess in Miami. What are the consequences to a coach for lying?
Good point, Dez Bryant was kicked to the curb for a year...essentially his career since he was a SR. for lying to the NCAA about an Agent contact.
Sid, you don't think Tom Crean can turn the program and get it back to where it once was or do you think the momentum has shifted so much towards Purdue in regards to Indiana basketball that IU has maybe dropped to the #2 school in the state, permanently?
Terry, I admit the "if ever" might have been a bit strong. I do believe that Crean can bring the program back, but I wonder how far back it can come. Recruiting today is much different from when Knight coached. Even then, he did not get a lot of top tier recruits, although he did get some. It was his coaching style that boosted IU to elite status. Too bad he was his own worst enemy. IMO, his antics contributed to the downfall of the program, given the direction it headed following his dismissal. Your observation about Purdue is on the mark, although the loss of Hummel certainly dims PU's chances this season to a) win the B10, and b) go far in the NCAAs. I don't think Purdue's recruiting dominance within the state is "permanent" because like most states with two large programs, young athletes tend to form strong loyalties to one or the other but not both. Time will tell re: IU. They certainly have an outstanding coach.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=5714649 I always liked Bruce Pearl, and thought he brought alot of enthusiasm, etc to the SEC, but to knowingly break the rules..... ask parents to not say anything..... deny pictures that were taken at your house with your assistant coaches wife.... etc.... IMO how can any coach anywhere keep his job?
I think the key thing here is that he lied to the NCAA, something that if a player does has severe consequences. I can understand Tom' s or any Vol Fan conundrum with this situation. On the one hand he's been great for Tenn mens Basketball and to all appearances has been a model coach/citizen. He worked around player suspensions last year, had to deal with a players medical condition in terms of keeping it quiet while the player continued to play. All good things. So is it throwing him under the bus for a single indiscretion? Maybe, but Dez Bryant did the same thing and he got thrown under the bus for lying to the NCAA.
Guys, Bruce was wrong. Lying about anything unless it is to keep someone from being hurt by some thug is wrong. Bruce did break the rules. I believe that he is the most valuable mens team coach on the campus at Tennessee. As a tennessee fan, I would be willing to accept any reasonable penalty, evan as strong as what USC is getting for their football team, if it means keeping Pearl with the understanding that any such repeat would be immediate termination.
By drawing up a new contract, I think they have already decided. Last I heard, Pearl has not signed/returned it.