The level of respect University of Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton carries for Bruce Pearl is so high that even gravity is having trouble keeping it in check.

No more was that apparent than at Thursday's Big Orange TipOff Club meeting at Calhoun's on the River, where Hamilton lauded Pearl's coaching abilities along with his sincere family-first attitude.

Hamilton introduced Pearl and gave the audience insight into some of the intimate moments of the UT courtship with Pearl, which occurred during last year's NCAA men's basketball tournament.

"Remember, he and I had never met," Hamilton told the crowd. "One of the very first things he ever said when we sat down to talk, he said, 'Hey. I just want to share something with you. I haven't really spent a lot of time with my family talking about this.'

"Certainly (his wife) Kim knew. He said, 'We talked about it this morning, and Steven (Pearl's eldest son) is getting ready to be a senior in high school, and his basketball career is really important to him. And, it was a very emotional morning for us. I told him that if this wasn't the right thing for him and for our family, and if he couldn't go into this with a full commitment like the rest of our family, then I'd call you back — my family is the most important thing to me — and tell you I wouldn't be able to come to the interview.'

"Steven obviously said, 'Dad, I want you to go to the interview.' And he came to the interview."

Hamilton went on, and Pearl's emotions became obvious. Kim, in support, rubbed his back as he downed ice water to aid in tear repressment.

"For me, those next three hours told me that Bruce Pearl was supposed to be our coach. ... All that I had been told by the folks that I had talked to in basketball, I saw unfold in those three hours."

What followed was Hamilton's one-liner to give the audience Pearl, his pearl.

"There's an eBay commercial that's been running during Christmas," Hamilton said. "I don't know if you've seen it or not. But it says, 'Whatever it is, eBbay has it.' Well, I'm going to tell you I want to change it to: 'Whatever it is, Bruce Pearl has it.'"

Wowed, Pearl shared his thanks for the intro then his thoughts on his hiring at UT.

"I don't mind Mike sharing that," Pearl said. "But that was a very emotional time for us, for our family. It was a family decision, and I'm blessed for having this opportunity."

Before his emotions began to resurface, Pearl quickly leaned on his ability to create laughter.

"I don't have a speech today," he said. "Because I have to ask you this question: Would you rather have me watching Florida tape or preparing a speech?"

But Pearl later expressed his sentiments for Hamilton's understanding.

"He (Hamilton) knew it was emotional for me," Pearl said. "He made some really good decisions. He said, 'Listen, if your heart's not into it — I need somebody, who this is gonna be their heart, their soul, their everything. You gotta be ready to take this move. I don't want you to come down for an interview, don't get on that plane, unless you're willing to take this job.'

"Kim and I really had to decide before our visit, because I wasn't going to come down here unless I was prepared to take this job. It was such a difficult time, because you're beholden to the players who got you to where you were. And in coaching, it's all about we; it's all about the team. So, it was very difficult."

Mixed amongst his hiring's anecdotes, Pearl covered every topic from former UT announcer John Ward to Lady Vols freshman basketball star Candace Parker, who dates UT basketball player Stanley Asumnu.

"All Pat Summitt asked of me is to please don't let Stanley break up with her during the course of her season," Pearl joked.

At his allotted speaking time's end, Pearl finally offered his deepest gratitude to his wife.

"I can't talk about Kim, and Kim knows this," Pearl said. "When I talk about her I get emotional. Because, you just can't believe how much they've had to put up with. "

Then, like before, Pearl promptly exchanged his heart-felt emotion for laughter.

"I don't apologize for it, because for the first time in my life I'm finally getting paid well for this!"

He expounded further.

"We bought a bigger house than we've ever lived in. We've had furniture since we got married. All the furniture and stuff we had, we've had since we got married. Naturally, Kim finds Braden's (furniture store).

"I mean she buys furniture for almost every room in the house! I said, 'Honey, it's not how much we make; it's how long we've been making it! You've been poor for 44 years and been rich for six weeks!' "

With the crowd laughing, Pearl unexpectedly dove back down into his heart — for his wife, for his family and for Hamilton.

"But I appreciate Kim," he said. "You know what? As long as you got family with you, there's nothing you can't do. And I got a lot of family in this room, and a lot of friends and neighbors. ...

"I go to work every day trying to reward that man (Hamilton) for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime."

Guess the respect level is pretty high both ways.