Hamilton says Memphis has not asked for permission to talk with Pearl

Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton said late Wednesday afternoon that Memphis has not asked permission to talk with Bruce Pearl about the Tigers' head coaching vacancy.

More details later online and in Thursday's News Sentinel.

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Comments » 48

cliffjumper50#205931 writes:

Bruce is the biggest thing to happen around here since Peyton Manning. Let's keep him.

mbradshaw1#655539 writes:

good

gohawks1 writes:

Memphis might as well not request permission to talk to Pearl. Why would he go from a premiere conference down to Conference USA? Besides that, the Tigers program is starting to unravel. Verbal commits will drop. Some current players will leave. It's gonna get nasty before this is over.

yabadabadoo1026 writes:

in response to gohawks1:

Memphis might as well not request permission to talk to Pearl. Why would he go from a premiere conference down to Conference USA? Besides that, the Tigers program is starting to unravel. Verbal commits will drop. Some current players will leave. It's gonna get nasty before this is over.

how about a couple million dollars why---i think BP loves Knoxville and UT and is a loyal kind of guy but to expect even a loyal guy to dismiss doubling his salary is unreasonable

all our stupid/haten koolaiders laughing over Memphis loss really should really STFU before memphis has the biggest and last laugh and then come back to rub your stupid faces in it

OrangeMandM writes:

Good....

zigvol writes:

I hope he stays but money sure does talk.

Vol_Jokes writes:

Ha this is too funny to be true... in your face vollies..

Pearl just said to a memphis reporter that he was tired of having a bunch of rednecks for fans.

VOLKING writes:

in response to itsme53792#1349745:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Well, well....look what the cat dragged back in.....itsme!! Look, slime, your team just got gutted and is about to become irrelevant again. You guys think Pearl or Patino are going to that hole of a school? Please. Not chest-thumping anymore are you, pal? Do yourself a favor and stay away from here, or keep coming back to eat crow and humble pie..either way...Memphis is done. You lose.

bluetiger writes:

in response to Navalorange:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

If we are able to snag a top-notch coach within the next week or so, all will not be lost for next season.

Believe me, the U of M and the boosters are taking this coaching position very seriously. The program has come too far to drop off into obscurity. They won't let it.

The big guns in Memphis are involved in this. And, while you might like to believe that nothing goes on in Memphis except gang shootings, think again. There's big money and influence there in the likes of Fred Smith, founder of FEDEX, and the head honcho's from Autozone, International Paper, etc., etc., who are all very invested in that community. And in the Memphis community, basketball is huge.

born2ride writes:

It's being reported in Memphis that Fred Smith the founder of FedEx is the person behind the drive to bring Bruce Pearl to Memphis. This is not a joke. Memphis wants Pearl and has a blank check to get him.

VolInMemphis writes:

Brucie has a contract with UT. If RC Johnson calls, just laugh and hang up the phone. End of story. I love my hometown, but I swear on everything that I love...I hate the U of M.

utfpmd writes:

Going from UMass to Tiger High is a lot different than stepping down from the SEC to Conf. USA.
Besides, I think Pearl relishes the chance to play Calipari twice a year. He wants challenges, not the C-USA cupcakes.

txvolsfan writes:

in response to 99aintagator:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

At least he didn't turn down a job that was never offered or even showed interest in him like Eddie Munster did!!!

I want to go on record right now and say that I'm not going to leave my job to be CEO of General Motors!!!
I'm not interested
TXVOLSFAN

VOLKING writes:

in response to Vol_Jokes:

Ha this is too funny to be true... in your face vollies..

Pearl just said to a memphis reporter that he was tired of having a bunch of rednecks for fans.

memphis won't get Patino or Pearl or anybody you've ever heard of. Start getting the NIT parade ready again..LMAO! Go crawl back into your ghetto and cry me a river.Memphis is irrelevant...again. You lose.

tenacjim#211887 writes:

in response to Vol_Jokes:

Ha this is too funny to be true... in your face vollies..

Pearl just said to a memphis reporter that he was tired of having a bunch of rednecks for fans.

Hollow words of a documented liar...

Here's a good read for you:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebaske...

Never knew about the NIT parade. Priceless!

OrangeMandM writes:

in response to 99aintagator:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Good...

bluetiger writes:

in response to VolInMemphis:

Brucie has a contract with UT. If RC Johnson calls, just laugh and hang up the phone. End of story. I love my hometown, but I swear on everything that I love...I hate the U of M.

Um, Calipari had a contract with Memphis too. Coaching contracts have buy-out clauses because basically the contract is good only until the coach gets a better offer. They are worthless.

Sorry you love Memphis but hate the U of M. Can't understand that, since most people who grow up in Memphis, even when they go to other schools, still love Memphis bball.

Anyway, who knows if any of this is true anyway? The U of M is not releasing any info on who they are targeting.

I have a feeling that it will end up being someone no one is even talking about now.

But what will happen if Pearl does come to Memphis? Will Knoxville then officially declare an end to the decades-long "cold war" against Memphis and launch a full-scale military attack on the bluff city?

Could get exciting.

VolInMemphis writes:

in response to bluetiger:

Um, Calipari had a contract with Memphis too. Coaching contracts have buy-out clauses because basically the contract is good only until the coach gets a better offer. They are worthless.

Sorry you love Memphis but hate the U of M. Can't understand that, since most people who grow up in Memphis, even when they go to other schools, still love Memphis bball.

Anyway, who knows if any of this is true anyway? The U of M is not releasing any info on who they are targeting.

I have a feeling that it will end up being someone no one is even talking about now.

But what will happen if Pearl does come to Memphis? Will Knoxville then officially declare an end to the decades-long "cold war" against Memphis and launch a full-scale military attack on the bluff city?

Could get exciting.

I've never cared for Memphis basketball. No need to bore you with long winded details.

WilliamDawes writes:

"But what will happen if Pearl does come to Memphis? Will Knoxville then officially declare an end to the decades-long "cold war" against Memphis and launch a full-scale military attack on the bluff city?"

Nah, we'll just have some of those ORNL eggheads put their brains together and find a way to trigger the New Madras Fault.

pammyvol1000 writes:

Money talks!!

rusty_shackleford writes:

This just in....Memphis has NOT asked to interview me, either.

abnermc writes:

in response to 99aintagator:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Fla would if they could

halloffamebowler writes:

in response to 99aintagator:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

We sure hope you told the truth for only the first time in your ignorant life.

halloffamebowler writes:

in response to itsme53792#1349745:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

And an empty Trophy case to show for it.

Waldorf writes:

in response to itsme53792#1349745:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Simple.

Because until Memphis started their run CUSA was actually a legitimate conference with Louisville, Cinnci, and a few others.

Since then it has been Memphis and no one else.

Actually, until Louisville and friends left the conference, Memphis was nothing more than an NIT team under Cal.

Waldorf writes:

in response to Plasticman:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Thanks for the reply.

Memphis State fans typically don't do well with facts.

volfan8 writes:

I love how the media works. This article was posted at 626, and since then, media outlets are reporting that Bruce is flying to Memphis to interview, Bruce is the one who contacted Memphis, and memphis has already made the offer of 7 years, 21 million...

Yet according to our AD, Memphis hasnt even contacted UT about talking to him....ahhhhh rumors

wildberry14 writes:

in response to 99aintagator:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

maybe no one is calling him but ol' billy should be begging him to go to memphis.
7-1

mike#208050 writes:

I just love April Fools day.

Memphis press just messing with you guys. You love Bruce, we don't.

Memphis has the cash to get a big name coach. That is not a bidding war you want to mess with. If Bruce interviews at Memphis, which I seriously doubt, it will cost you to keep him.

I will tell you one more thing, you have a bigger problem in Lexington, Kentucky now. You can bet everyone's rpi in the SEC just got a boost from John Calipari. Funny, all it took was hiring a Conf-USA coach!

TIGRFAN in knoxville

Colliervol writes:

in response to Plasticman:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

And a lot of folks don't remember that when those schools were in CUSA, Cal and Memphis did nothing. It took him four years to get in the NCAA tournament and he won exactly one game. It wasn't until those schools left that he finally did something. It's also about that time that a fellow named Worldwide Wes mysteriously got involved with directing players to Memphis. Funny how that works. I hope the KY folks are fully aware of that "gentleman".

vol2211insc writes:

If and when memphis offers pearl anything...UT better match and beat it. Good coaches are hard to come by! I think that as far a recent sucess is concerned, memphis has an edge. However, I think pearl is happy hear and he takes some pride in that he's established something from scratch (those terrible buzz peterson years) and showed that Tennessee basketball is foreal. I think B.P. Stays...

kdub writes:

Hamilton won't give Memphis permission to speak with Pearl and nor should he. Pearl is 3rd highest paid coach in SEC and will get more if he advances past Sweet 16. Why would he leave such a great situation coaching against some big time coaches in solid conference to go play weak competition? He's a true competitor and I guarantee he's chomping at the bit to beat Cal along with Donovan, Horn, Stansbury, Grant etc. Memphis will probably end up with Tim Floyd since he's got the NBA background like Cal. Pearl's system is predicated on guard play and he's got Selby, McRae and Craft coming 2010.

mempuss writes:

in response to mike#208050:

I just love April Fools day.

Memphis press just messing with you guys. You love Bruce, we don't.

Memphis has the cash to get a big name coach. That is not a bidding war you want to mess with. If Bruce interviews at Memphis, which I seriously doubt, it will cost you to keep him.

I will tell you one more thing, you have a bigger problem in Lexington, Kentucky now. You can bet everyone's rpi in the SEC just got a boost from John Calipari. Funny, all it took was hiring a Conf-USA coach!

TIGRFAN in knoxville

"memphis has the cash to get a big name coach. that is not a bidding war you want to mess with."

You cant be serious???? The financial support that your big brother UT gets from its donors annually would swamp that "MEMPHIS" cash that you speak of. You keep "your" shipping money and we will hold on to "our" oil money.

Ironcity writes:

in response to itsme53792#1349745:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

I am surprised to see you out of your hole after the thumping a big conference school gave you. Coach Pearl may leave eventually but no amount of money from Memphis would be worth stepping down two rungs in the latter.

txvolsfan writes:

in response to 99aintagator:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

You little gurl are totally wrong!!!
They never contacted Eddie or his agent. They only contacted Coach Cal's agent and NO one else. My boss is a very very large booster and trustee of UK and was in on all the discussions.
Get your facts straight skippy

utucla writes:

in response to itsme53792#1349745:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

welcome back to the board little tiger fan....now tell me....i can't remember...where did you say the tigers recruiting class is ranked?....and you guys are going how far in the tournament next year?...refresh my memory....

OrangeMan_86 writes:

Good. Don't think he would go anyways but Memphis can find their own coach ;)

utucla writes:

in response to mempuss:

"memphis has the cash to get a big name coach. that is not a bidding war you want to mess with."

You cant be serious???? The financial support that your big brother UT gets from its donors annually would swamp that "MEMPHIS" cash that you speak of. You keep "your" shipping money and we will hold on to "our" oil money.

you have to understand...little tiger fans think they are one of college b-ball's bluebloods....they honestly believe they are on the same level as UCLA...Ky....Duke...N.Carolina and Indiana....remember, if it weren't for tiger fans, what would we have to laugh about?.....

txvolsfan writes:

in response to 99aintagator:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

They honestly said they didn't want a coach who has missed the NCAA two years in a row.

Colliervol writes:

in response to Plasticman:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

That's what is known as "whistling past the graveyard" (aka hoping something doesn't jump out and grab you). Barhardt is just praying the Cal does everything on the up and up. Because he darn sure won't have any control over it. Calipari does what he wants, when he wants. The UK folks need to keep a close eye on ole Wes.

paradisetaxi writes:

Why would BP leave T for lil ole M.....sorry...BP just got handed recuiting rights...MEM ....not taking for granted...this is all gr8888888t for SEC,,,WELCOME to the SEC.... U will only make us better ...got Mr Berrys auto tonight...will add to Peytons...Parker...Berry....look..Memphis is DOWN turn...I would hope Ernie would be Pissed....I hope we have made a very good place for Bruce... hey...if we havent ...thats the way it is...WE have a great U and FAN base...I think we only have 1 to replace... i feel bad sayin that...its the O+ of UT....Eric B ...U sign a Gr88 auto..sorry about the Marselias J ...he's a 9...Thanks man

Vol_Jokes writes:

Ha ha ha...... i still can't get over this one. President Pearl leaving trailer parkville and heading to Memphis. Who could blame him. We have a program with a history of accomplishments. Our mens team doesn't live in the shadows of the womens team and football team. We play in an NBA arena. I've heard he's heading to Memphis on Fri to interview.. what do you think..???
It's called the ripple effect. Kentucky fires their coach. They then aim for the best coach in the nation and take him away from Memphis. Vol fans enjoy and then before they stop laughing Memphis grabs Pearl and takes him away quickly and we salvage some of those recruits. Next year is a very good year in Memphis tradition and the Vols... well.. you end up being the ones screwed by it all. and living in the cellar of the SEC once again. Think it can't happen... ? You better head over to the CA site and see what Calkins has written.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/...

Just trying to think if it would be good to bring in a coach that I don't care for just to ruin the vols...
Funny but the vols could end up being the one that gets screwed from all this.

Just in, Pearl says knoxville is nothing more than an oversized trailer park. I hear he's dyed his orange sports jacket tiger blue to wear to the interview.

This started out to be a bad day but i'll be danged if it's not gotten good.

Vol_Jokes writes:

Just in fellers. Bobby Knight is being considered for the job. He was here this afternoon to be interviewed.
I hate it..but.. looks like we may have to decide between Pearl and Knight. I'm taking Knight as my pick. The only reason i'd want Pearl is to watch you guys blood pressure rise.

uglydog5230#233820 writes:

itsme53792#1349745: I do not know if it is you or someone else, but from the post it looks like you are the one saying UT is in Austin! UT is in Knoxville not Austin. I live in Austin, Texas and the only idiots that refer to Texas as UT, are the stupid fans here. Everyone in the Big XII refers to Texas as TU if you do not believe me, just listen to the Aggie yell leaders Thanksgiving Night 2009 when A&M plays Texas. UT(Tennessee) was established in 1794, Texas was established in 1876. This is the way Texas is referred, "Welcome to The University of Texas at Austin" So, before you make a bone-headed comment you know nothing about, get your facts straight!!!

Volumnus writes:

Do you think that there is anyone at Memphis State that knows they need to ask for permission???

DHW writes:

in response to itsme53792#1349745:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

U of M is in Michigan.

UT is in Knoxville.

UTA is in Austin. UTD is in Dallas. UTSA is in San Antonio.

Memphis State is still in Memphis....no matter what they call themselves.

VOLKING writes:

To Itsme, Hoops22 and voljokes:

It’s not like Pearl is some wacky sideshow, either. He can flat coach. Let me tell you about two highly-acclaimed college basketball coaches. We’ll call them — what else would we call them? — Coach A and Coach B.

Coach A went to a program in serious disrepair. In his first four years at the place, he went to two NCAA Tournaments and two NITs. He won one NCAA Tournament game.

Coach B went to a program in serious disrepair. In his first four years at the place, he went to the NCAA Tournament four straight times. He won five NCAA Tournament games. He went to two Sweet 16’s.

Which coach would you rather hire to guide your program? Coach B, right?

That’s Pearl. Coach A is Calipari. And Pearl doesn’t — at least, he couldn’t possibly — lie as much.

...and this from your own paper!! Kinda kills your earlier arguments about Calipari being better than Pearl. Poor little brother. Can never be as good as us. What a shame. Must suck to be you. Worst city in America and all you guys ever had was your 'bassitball' program. Now, it's all over and done. My heart bleeds for you. Oh well, go drown your sorrows in the blues...at least Memphis has that going for them.

Vol_Jokes writes:

VolQueen, you didn't mention that coach A led his team to a final 4 before coming to his new school. At the new school coach A won several coach of the year awards, including this years Sports Illustrated coach of the year. Coach A won the NIT when his program was on the way up. Coach A went to 3 straight elite 8's and a championship game. A's finish in the sweet 16 was considered a failure. Coach A, set the record for most wins in a season in college basketball history. Coach A is only a few games away from setting the all time record for most conference wins in a row. Coach A plays in an NBA arena. Coach A had what was being called the best recruiting class in college basketball history. Coach A is considered one of the best recruiters there is. Coach A has 3 players that this year set the record for wins by a college player. Coach A is highly desired all over the nation.

Coach b sweet 16.

Which coach would you want.
Not very smart to play that game are we now.

Some reports are that Pearl will be in Memphis tommorrow for a recruiting trip and will interview for the Memphis job. Also some rumors that an offer is already on the table for him? What do you think?????

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