Tennessee men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl said he’s in no hurry to fill the vacancy on his coaching staff.

"It’s recruiting season right now, so I need to take advantage of that while I can and see some recruits,’’ Pearl said. "At the same time, I want to move to get what I want.

"But first, I want to give enough time to see what will come to me. You never know with our visibility and success who we’ll attract.’’

Pearl said replacing Scott Edgar, who left last week to take the head-coaching job at Southeast Missouri State, is no easy task.

"Scott was such a great fit for our staff, and finding someone who will fit in is important to me because we’re like a family,’’ Pearl said. "But I also want someone to come in from the outside and challenge me. Someone with some experience.’’

Pearl said whoever he hires will be the "second assistant’’ behind associate head coach Tony Jones.

"I’m not looking to shuffle the deck,’’ Pearl said. "I want somebody that will be good on the court and make our players better. Someone who can do good work with our players during individual workouts.’’

Position Push: It’s become common knowledge that senior-to-be Dane Bradshaw will be scrapping for a starting position with all of the incoming talent. Pearl, who calls Bradshaw the "glue’’ that holds the team together, said Bradshaw will play the position where the team needs him most.

Bradshaw is rehabilitating his wrist after undergoing surgery in March to repair torn ligaments.

Another fan favorite on the spot for playing time is electric sixth-man JaJuan Smith. Smith played both shooting guard and small forward for the Vols last season, but with Duke Crews’ arrival and the signing of combo guard Marques Johnson, who can play point guard or small forward, and Ramar Smith, who can play point or shooting guard, minutes will be at a premium at the positions.

"JaJuan is working hard in the offseason,’’ Pearl said. "He knows what the new players are capable of.’’

The Duke: Pearl said he could see Crews playing center in addition to small forward.

The 6-foot-7 Crews has impressive vertical leaping abilities that allows him to touch the top of the box behind the rim with both hands. Crews guarded 6-11 McDonald’s All-American Brook Lopez in the Adidas Derby Classic two weeks ago.

"I’ll use (Crews) in both areas, but it will take him some time to polish his game,’’ Pearl said. "I’d compare (Crews) to Bernard King. What made him so great is he could do it inside or out, and Duke has that potential.’’

Secondary Violation: UT turned itself in for a secondary violation after the mother of Crews, Louise Patrick, used the Internet service in her room at the Marriott during Crews’ visit on Oct. 1, 2005.

To restore Crews’ eligibility, Patrick made a $10.95 donation (the cost of the Internet service) to the Ronald McDonald House.

Lofton Resolution: Kentucky State Rep. Tanya Pullin, D-South Short forwarded a non-binding resolution encouraging public universities in Kentucky to offer scholarships to athletically and academically gifted students from the Blue Grass State.

"I’m calling this the Chris Lofton resolution,’’ Pullin told The Lexington Herald-Leader.

Lofton, who played at Mason County High School, was not offered a scholarship by Louisville or Kentucky despite winning the state’s Mr. Basketball award in 2004.