Dear AskChuck@knews.com:

The firing of Coach Buzz Peterson was another in a long list of big mistakes by the University of Tennessee.

It is impossible to build a men's college basketball team in a short period of time. The most talented players go to the NBA as soon as they can.

Athletic director Mike Hamilton claims he wants a consistent showing in the NCAA tourney. UT will never do that with this short-term-fix mentality.

MIKE EVANS

Knoxville

Four years should have been long enough to turn things around, especially when five starters were returning and it was a down year for the SEC. I believe Peterson's downfall began with recruiting. This includes a critical mistake in his evaluation of Maryville's Lee Humphrey, who signed with Florida.

Chuck: During the last three weeks we have again witnessed another example of what is wrong at the University of Tennessee. Dr. John D. Petersen is president at UT because of ethics and moral problems at the university. Due to his short time as president, we must overlook his lack of leadership in the Buzz Peterson/Mike Hamilton fiasco.

Hamilton's dismissal of Peterson on March 13 has been a prime example of how to NOT operate the UT Athletic Department.

Hamilton said a coaching decision would be made at the conclusion of the basketball season when, in fact, he had secretly hired a firm (on March 4) to recommend a new coach.

After the win over Arkansas, a smiling Hamilton was photographed giving a "high-five" to Peterson's wife, Jan, and this gave the impression that everything was fine with her husband's job.

I hope this is NOT the way Mike Hamilton will be operating the Athletic Department in the future.

J.W.JONES

Lenoir City

The timing to retain a search firm for $25,000 (plus expenses) raised a lot of eyebrows.

Considering how everything turned out, the high-five was inappropriate.

Chuck: UT's athletic department seems to know all the answers, but always fires coaches without any logical reasons. Do you remember how they treated Don DeVoe, Johnny Majors, Wade Houston, and Jerry Green? Just add Buzz Peterson to the list.

ALEX SMITH

Clinton

Contrary to what North Carolina coach Roy Williams said, Peterson was not fired because of poor popcorn sales. He was fired because of a lackluster 61-59 record and mediocre recruiting. His team's inconsistent effort contributed to declining attendance that had a negative impact on concession sales.

I would like to ask Roy Williams if North Carolina was wrong to fire his predecessor. Matt Doherty was 53-43 as the Tar Heels head coach.

Chuck: I have not liked Mike Hamilton's approach from the beginning.

I feel we are wasting too much money that could be much better used. I know Buzz needed to be stricter in his coaching, but I felt he got the message.

EARL MCCOSH

Knoxville

You could be right, but that's also why the next hire is so important. Tennessee needs to stop playing a convoluted version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" just to make coaches go away.

Chuck: So, Mike Hamilton is "at peace" with his decision to fire Buzz Peterson. Good for Mike. It was an interesting choice of words just before he plowed under yet another good man in the funny farm known as UT men's basketball.

I never knew Buzz personally, but judging from his core support and his public demeanor, I'd say an asset to the athletic program at UT has been lost.

Bad decision, Mike! And to you, coach Peterson: peace!

TED DEFORD

Knoxville

I can't help but wonder one thing: If Peterson had so many people in his corner, how come fewer fans were going to games?

Chuck: Tennessee deserves great basketball and great players that put forth a great effort every time they take the floor. However, you have to be able to recruit to achieve results. Let's face it Tennessee has not recruited the best players in the United States.

Maybe we could hit harder on foreign countries and their players to bring Tennessee to one of the top-10 programs year in and year out. There has to be the right person and staff for this starving program.

TOMMY GILES

UT baseball (1964-68), Spring Hill, Fla.

Many schools have benefited from an international approach. This also is true for several UT sports teams.

I think Tennessee needs to establish a much greater presence in Memphis. Why not place a full-time public-relations employee there? (By the way, I am available for $1.36 million over four years.)

Chuck: Please have UT hire Bob Knight so that pitiful arena will be filled with Orange.

JEFF COPPOCK

Knoxville

I'm pretty sure coach Knight would still prefer to wear white. The question is, would he still be allowed to have endorsement logos on his sweater?

Chuck: Can you imagine going from Mr. Rogers (Buzz Peterson) to Gen. Patton (Bob Knight)? I believe he could be the answer Vol fans are looking for.

RANDY MOSELEY

Paris, Tenn.

Hopefully, people will not be blinded by "the Knight" and overlook a several candidates who could be better long-term.

Send questions or comments to AskChuck@knews.com. Chuck Cavalaris also hosts The Ticket Sports Page Live on WQBB-AM 1040 on Monday through Friday from 3-4 p.m.