Once the wait was over, it happened fast.

Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton and his new basketball coach, Bruce Pearl, each liked what the other had to say during a rushed weekend consummation.

Pearl was genuinely surprised to find himself Monday afternoon in Thompson-Boling Arena being introduced as UT's new head coach.

Not surprised at the conclusion, but at the speed with which it was reached.

Hamilton had his first conversation with his lead prospect on Friday afternoon in the Hilton Hotel in downtown Chicago. He wanted his new coach in place Monday when the players returned from spring break.

"It pushed the process along a little bit for me,'' Pearl said, "but you know what, I needed it because I need to get recruiting.

"We need to get to work.''

Hamilton said Pearl was on his original list of prospects long before Wisconsin-Milwaukee's surprise NCAA tournament run.

Once UWM lost to Illinois on Thursday night in Chicago, it was time.

Pearl was aware through friend Ernie Grunfeld - a Tennessee All-American in the mid-1970s - that UT had interest in him but said no official contact occurred prior to Friday morning.

Hamilton, who watched the UWM game on TV at his Chicago hotel, first called UWM athletic director Bud Haidet at 8 a.m., then immediately called Pearl.

"I felt like going into the interview with him he would be the candidate,'' said Hamilton. "Bruce was the total package.''

After lunch, the two spent three hours in the Hilton. On Saturday, Hamilton flew Pearl and his wife Kim to Knoxville on a private plane.

Pearl returned to Milwaukee on Sunday night to inform his team he was leaving for UT.

On Monday morning, the entire Pearl family was on a flight back to Knoxville to be introduced.

"He told me he'd been on more private planes this past weekend than in the last 13 years,'' Hamilton said. "He'll appreciate our resources.''

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knews.com.