It was a typical Bruce Pearl reaction.
After finding out he was sharing SEC Coach of the Year honors with Kentucky’s Billy Gillispie, Tennessee’s third-year coach turned it into a joke.
“I have to check with (UT athletic director) Mike Hamilton if it’s in my contract that if I’m co-coach of the year I have to give back half the bonus,” he said Tuesday. “I’ve got to read the fine line on that.”
League coaches voted on the annual awards and also named UT senior Chris Lofton and sophomore Tyler Smith to the first team. Senior JaJuan Smith was a second-team selection and earned recognition as a member of the All-Defensive team.
Sophomore guard J.P. Prince also earned the Sixth Man Award for best reserve player in the league.
“I was glad both Tyler and Chris made the first team and that JaJuan was finally recognized on a team,” Pearl said.
Vanderbilt senior Shan Foster was named the SEC Player of the Year after leading the league in scoring at 20.6 points per game.
“I voted for Foster as player of the year,” Pearl said. “I felt like he was the best player.”
As for Pearl, all he did was lead the Vols (28-3, 14-2 SEC) to their first No. 1 ranking in school history and a first outright SEC regular-season title since 1967. After a roller-coaster first season, Gillispie guided the Wildcats (18-11, 12-4) to second in the East.
No. 4-ranked Tennessee begins SEC tournament play in Atlanta at 1 p.m. Friday (TV: WVLT) against the winner of Thursday’s game between South Carolina and LSU.
Lofton, a preseason All-American, broke out of an early season shooting slump to lead the Vols with 16 points per game.
Tyler Smith proved his versatility after transferring from Iowa, averaging 13.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
Despite the first-team honor, Smith seemed more pleased with JaJuan Smith’s recognition than his own.
“You talk about somebody happy, he’s happy,” Tyler Smith said. “It’s great for him.
“Coach always told us the more we win the better the accolades as far as individuals will be. Individual awards mean something, but just being here to play is great for me.”
Prince, a transfer from Arizona, came on strong after he earned his eligibility in mid-season. The former Memphis White Station star averages 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds off the bench.
“It’s been my goal since I got back playing to be the best sixth man possible, nationally or in SEC,” he said. “Whatever the coach needs off the bench that night, I try to give it to him. That’s my job.”
More Honors: Pearl, Lofton and Tyler Smith also were honored by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. Pearl was named the District IV Coach of the Year while Lofton and Smith were named to the All-District IV (Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida) team.
Chris Douglas-Roberts of Memphis was named District IV Player of the Year.
Staff writer Mike Strange contributed to this report.
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Comments » 80
bobbyutvol writes:
ARE YOU KIDDING ME CO-COACH OF THE YEAR WHAT A RIPOFF/// SOUNDS LIKE SOME FOLKS ARE A LITTLE JEALOUS OF COACH PEARL'S SUCCESS UNBELIEVEABLE... B P SHOULD BE COACH OF THE YEAR FOR THE JOB HE HAS DONE GOOD LUCK VOLSAND COACH BP WE ARE PROUD OF YOU
BigOrangeDave writes:
What a sham! Kentucky did not beat one SEC team on the road that had a winning record and this guy gets Co-Coach of the Year. What a joke!
shopsports#273141 writes:
Kentucky beat the Gators for the first time in three years while Bruce Pearl is 5 and 1 against the 2 time National Champs...Sham doesn't begin to describe it. Can you say jealous? The other SEC coaches are obviously very jealous of Tn's success. Screw 'em. We love our Bruce all mighty!!
anthony writes:
the moths have corrupted the minds of many a good person, and we can see this time after time after time after time, in all fields of life, and to us in the sports fields these decisions are jokes.
Lofton4three___MONEY writes:
Congrats to Gillispie for doing the least with the most talent. If I were voting, I'd vote for the coach that was good all season long, not just half of it. What a farce.
egwillo#238660 writes:
Way to go, Ja'Juan Smith!!! It's about time!!! CBP is hands down coach of the year. Is any other coach in the SEC getting the positive recognition CBP is bringing to UT?! Billy who?
ClockworkOrange writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
stevefrommemphis writes:
Atlanta goal: Beat Vandy by 20 in semis; hold Foster to 5 pts. Beat Kentucky by 20 in finals. Vols leave court without cutting down nets.
LargeOrange writes:
Foolmore on March 11, 2008 at 11:05 p.m. Where's Fulmer coaching awards from this past year?
----------
Get over it Fool... This is about CBP and our BB Vols. Give your irrational hatred a rest.
andy112382#209793 writes:
And the award for comment that has nothing to do with this article at all - FOOLMORE!
Titan writes:
Drumroll - Hatred of the Year Award Winner - Foolmore. GIVE IT A REST OR BETTER YET, JUST LEAVE.
Titan writes:
About three weeks too early for an April Fools joke so I assume this is true. What a travesty.
You would hope that voters could put their personal jealousies and prejudices aside. Obviously, they haven't matured enough yet to do that.
DekanGator writes:
Don't feel ripped off Vol fan's .... BillY "D" in the last 3 years has won 3 straight SEC tourny Champs and 2 Times National Champs and has NEVER i'll sat it again NEVER won the SEC coach of the year!
I think BP should have won it this year.
hdhurst writes:
I really could care less about individual goals. Sure, it's nice for the ego, but TEAMS win championships. How many greats have went down without a ring, trophy, etc?
Anyway, regarding Billy G. I have nothing against the man, but I remember when he was asked what got his team started on the winning spree, his response: "I just let them go out there and play their game, without trying to interfere too much." Now, let me get this straight: You interfered and lost, then you left them alone to play and they won. Where in that picture do you seem him winning co-coach of the year. Seems to me that it was his interference that caused the skid in the first place. Oh well, just my thoughts. I am at least happy for Coach Pearl that he received some recognition.
Let's bring home the TEAM trophies and let the others have their individual toys. GO VOLS!!!
TK writes:
Bruce has to be saying "What do I have to do?"
eb502us#225637 writes:
Congrats to coach Pearl, Tyler, Chris and Jajuan, a well deserved honor. Hard to believe that league coaches think Gillespie deserved anything. Does the first half of the season not count? As for JP, if he's the best 6th man in this league, than the league is devoid of talented bench players. Congrats to him as well.
mtnvol writes:
Co-coaches of the year don't lose to Garner Webb AT HOME! Give me a break.
VolJunkie writes:
stevefrommemphis (12p) ... nice. As I've said before, winning has a way of taking care of everything.
SEC regular season and tourney champions should guarantee a #1 seed if not THE #1 seed (IMHO).
CBP's comment regarding his bonus sounded tongue-in-cheek but that is why individual coaching honors are important as there are usually financial incentives involved. Of course team accomplishments figure into that as well.
CBP ... head coach of the best team and that's not "garbage" (no apologies to Mr. Stallings)!
Go VOLS!!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Awards, shamords ZZZzzzzzzzzz.
Win and then, win some more.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Foomore, how 'bout just you STFU???
This constant bltching and moaning is getting real old, real fast.
Why do you even follow Vol sports???
hell, if you feel that strognly, go to one of UT's open practices and challenge Phil one on one. You be the DT and let Phil be the OT in the Tennesse drill.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
I still can't believe Foster gets player of the year over Remel Bradley.
I'll also tell you why Gillespie doesn't deserve COY: he came into a program with a high talent level. He obviously flubbed the relationship with his players, and got off to a bad start. He was then able to parlay that old 'Rupp Magic" known as plus 8 FT's per game (minimum) into some tight home wins over teams like UT and Ark.
Billy G is a good coach, but there are others who did more with less (maybe check out CBP's job this year).
OrangePride writes:
That's right, Pearl is "not quite" coach of the year....and Peyton was "not quite" the Hiesman winner, and Parker is only second best in the SEC, and so on........right. This is the kind of nonsense that has been going on and on and on. Well, we still have the SEC tournament and Big Dance to go thru.....Let's see how BP does and lets see how Gillispie, the other coach of the year, does.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Very nice for Jajuan; here's hoping he has a great showing in the SEC tourney. He is capable of being THE guy in these back-to-back-to-back games.
I'm taking a guess taht CBP will 'grind-it-out' for at least the first game, if not the first and second. He may not turn the men loose completely until (if) they make the finals.
CBP is getting smarter, he is learning to 'pace' the team, I think; at least, to me it seems like that is what he is doing. Less of the press, more half-court sets, change of pace....
It has been a fun season.
tp2 writes:
I agree! What a joke and a rip off. Nobody expected the Vols to be were they are. Gillespie does not deserve to be the co-winner. Tennessee has often never gotten a fair shake. Thats ok though we will see what they say when the Vols are playing in the final four. Go VOLS!
KennesawVol writes:
I hope CBP gets a chance to take the team to the SEC Tourney and stomp the living phooey out of Kentucky!!
Beasty72 writes:
Im a huge Vol fan and I think both coaches were very deserving.This is award usually doesnt go to the best team which finished exactly where they were predicted.Coach Gillespie did an amazing job turning around Kentucky due to the transition and the injuries they have overcome.Congratulations CBP!!!
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
Air Force,
There are many on here who have Orange blinders on.....but you sir have Blue blinders on!
The coach of the year award is for this SEASON only, and Pearl clearly should have won it.
Gillespie did have some injuries, but he also had talent....as in multiple parade/mcdonalds All Americans.
As for the coaching in Knoxville, I know that Gillespie put the stall in the offense, but he could not have foreseen hitting ,multiple deep and contested 3s with 1 and 2 seconds on the shot clock. If normal percentages hold with those 4 or 5 shots alone....Tennessee wins by 10-15.
I am not taking ANYTHING away from Kentucky, they played outstanding that day and they made those shots so you cannot say 'what if' but I can say that those "heaves" that went in cannot be attributed to his coaching.
Pearl led his team to a 28-3 (14-2) record against a much tougher schedule than did Gillespie 18-11 (12-4)...so the coach of the year should have been Pearl.
I do think that Gillespie is a fine coach and will serve UK well. I expect some more great battles through the upcoming years...
FatherVol writes:
I agree 100%, Beastly72. Gillespie's coaching turned a miserable start into a probable bid to the Dance, and what he did after losing his top scorer for the sesaon was phenomenal. I dare say, without injuries, KY would have broken our win streak at home. Congrats to both fine coaches.
dirtdobber1 writes:
AirTerdOne...KY is loaded with talent. You put KY recruiting class againt Tenn and KY out recruits TN every year!
If a coach like Gillespi gets this award it is worthless(just like the heisman is now)
Everyone agrees that game in knoxville was a joke! that running the shot clock down below 1 second before putting up a shot aint gonna keep working! Unlike rbhobbs73... and I am taking away from KY did this season- 18-12? Wow yall are goooooood!- I hope KY loses the rest of their games!
dirtdobber1 writes:
FatherVol- with that post- you should be removed from this site forever! Change your name to FatherCat!
VolBall writes:
HotAirOne,
I can sense the fear and doubt in your posts. Keep telling yourself how good you are, but if your honest with yourself, I know your worried. Pearl is class, he is infectious, he has the attention of the basketball world, he leads with confidence, his team believes in him and leaves it all on the court every night. We win with effort and grit and hustle.
Gillopie is a little weasel who is one more brief losing streak away from being ousted by you panicky, self-righteous blue misters. It's a shame how Tubby was let go. I agree with an earlier statement that KY is the Nebraska of college basketball. Stew in your juice.
dirtdobber1 writes:
Some of you people on this site act like Gillespie took over a program that had just started a basketball team? You can take the worst coach in the country, put him or her as head coach and they could coach that team to 18-12! THIS IS KENTUCKY BASKETBALL not football!
dirtdobber1 writes:
Volball- good post!
VolBall writes:
af1, time will tell. I put my money on Pearl far exceeding any future ky accomplishments, tradition doesn't win ball games. Get used to second or third place in the SEC. This year is a sign of things to come.
I'm certainly not sold on Gellopie and his "system". He has mcdonald's all americans holding the ball at the top of the key until the shot clock reaches 5, then lucks in desperation threes. That will catch up with them very soon, and what star recruit will want to play in that system? I see rough seas ahead for KY. Gillopie is a joke.
It tickles me to death to be at the top of SEC basketball. It has admittedly been a long time coming. Pearl has rearranged the pecking order in the SEC.
VolBall writes:
Who wouldn't cop an innocent feel on Erin Andrews if given a good opportunity????
dirtdobber1 writes:
AirTerdOne- SHENANINGANs this...28-3!
pretender? SEC outright champion...I guess.
Airterd1...im sure you would get more satisfaction watching Gillopi cop a feel with Billy Packer! Why dont you go back to passing out bumper stickers for hillary clinton!
Chainsaw writes:
Wow...if you can get your ass handed to you at Vandy in such a spectacular fashion and still win half of the COY...what kind of favors (sexual or otherwise) is Billy G. handing out?
(that was for you, AirDouche)
VolBall writes:
Good one, dirtdobber1
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
airforceone:
you are relying on parlor tricks with the 'down year' thing. An RPI of 1 is no joke, nor is the max stength of schedule. Even our SEC losses, both on the road, where close. Can Gillespie say that??? Don't think so.
Ramel Bradley is an excellent, excellent player. Joe Crawford is up there, too. The other players for UK, on average, are better than most teams can floor in the SEC. In my view, UK UNDER-achieved this year. That didn't happen in Bruce's first year, did it?? The Vols earned a 2 seed that year (and of course wasted it).
The 'proof' for Pearl will also be in the next few years as the program totally becomes 'his'.
as for Erin Andrews....she certainly advertises her wares, eh?? She's got about 5-6 more good years in her (maybe). Bruce would be better off (and money ahead) pulling off a 'spitzer'.
You are dead right on one thing: how will UT fans react when the inevitable slump comes??? Really, fans all over are jerks now. I went to the Gonzaga site back in the fall to congrat them on their team, and posters where on their crabbing and moaning about Mark Few, all the same kind of stuff you read here....It will happen to Burce too, one of these days.
utfaithful writes:
OK, I'm not a statitician or don't know exactly UT's record from Bruce's first year, but it was something like a 20+ win season, tie for first in the SEC East division, coming off a prior year with no NCAA tournament bid and ranked at the lower end of the SEC East. He didn't get Coach of the Year, Brady from LSU did, right? This year Gillespie took a team that was expected to finish 2nd in the east, and finished 2nd in the east with a 18-12 record, and got co-COY award. It seems that UT (which I'll admit, I am biased) never gets the acknowledgement they deserve. Anyways, individual awards don't matter too much, so lets get a couple team awards (SEC and National CHAMPIONS trophies).
knoxtenor writes:
From Gillespe's performance, I'd say all you have to do to be SEC coach of the year is lose all of your games in the first half of the season and then start coaching for real. So take a leaf, Bruce: Next year, don't even start coming to practice until January.
dirtdobber1 writes:
I dont have any ill will toward Gillespie, but I could take Chainsaw, UTfaithful and Volball and get KY to an 18-12 mark... with the talent they have!
utallvol writes:
Hey AIRFORCE1 Gardner-Webb, San Diego, UAB, Houston should I stop or keep goin. You really think Gillespie "The Drunk" Should have shared with Pearl. No wonder Lofton got away. Hope your 4 years of Bradley was good to you B/c our 4 years of Lofton was great to us. I hope we see u in the toun. Face it Kentucky u sux. Ya'll r over no more lucky runs. Kentucky just died. But chin up there's always Football, what's that 25 in a row and counting.But I bet ya'll have a tough Tennis team.
rbatten9#231828 writes:
Don't give me the argument that UK has less talent than UT. Please. Scout says UK has a star rating of 3.40, while UT has a star rating of 3.09.
topgun writes:
af1 10:59 post
As an ex F4 fighter pilot with three tours in 'Nam, I ask you to please stop disgracing the Air Force with your childish and acerbic posts. I know it is a free country and all that, but you are really making an a$$ of yourself and dragging the AF down to your low level. Why don't you man-up and keep things intellectually civil? Cheap shot with your "...Pearl, "the pervert"..." comment. That was not a KY vs UT thing, it was a personal assualt on Coach Pearl.
Definitely not a "joking", "having fun" post. That characterization of Coach Pearl speaks volumes about YOU and nothing about CBP. Please drop the Airforce from your username and change it to foolmore2 ,TDTN2,Fritter2,GETRIDOFblah,blah2 and their ilk. We expect that kind of stuff from John Adams and them.
feathersax writes:
So this is Air Farce One's take? "TALK ABOUT A CRIME!!! GILLISPIE SHOULD HAVE WON COACH OF THE YEAR ALL TO HIMSELF!!"
All those McDonald's A-A players, & the Blue Mist lays eggs all about (41-point loss to Vandie?? Lost to both Gardner AND Webb?)
While Billy might be pick-up artist of the year in Lexington bars, methinks he was given this by the jealous BP-hating SEC coaches.
GO VOLS!
billadcock#209476 writes:
And GATORNATION where will Florida be...hahahahahahhahaha
Orangebrewbasher writes:
hahahaha...gatornation is finally back...hahahaha.....how about getting that bubble burst. That must really suck. You guys couldn't even beat us at your own place while having the best shooting half you guys had all year. gators really blow
As for airforceone... gillispie did less with more than any coach I have ever seen, you almost have to try to suck that bad. kentucky embarrassed the SEC this year. All you gator and wildcat fans should be thanking TN for saving the SEC in non-conference performances.
dirtdobber1 writes:
gatornation aka queernation-
gatorqueer- You might be right in regard to the SEC being weak, Florida certainly wasnt worth a phooey!
I would ask you to do the math, but we all know that would be an issue for you...simply put...28-3/ RPI #1, strenght of schedule #1- UT had to go out of conference for the quality opponent! Talk to Memphis and their home win streak snapped by the Vols! And by the way...lets lose the Gator chomp...that phooey is getting old!
VolJunkie writes:
topgun ... nice post (12:40) ... and thank you for your service.
Go VOLS!!
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