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

  • By Mike Griffith
  • Posted April 1, 2009 at 6:26 p.m. , updated April 1, 2009 at 6:26 p.m.
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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 » 58

cliffjumper50#205931 writes:

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

mbradshaw1#655539 writes:

good

IPOrange 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.

Navalorange writes:

It took Calipari 9 years to build UM's program up to where it is now, and 2 days to set it back 10 years. Forget about Pearl, he will not leave for Memphis. If UM offered him 4.5 to 5 mil, UT would offer him 3.5 to 4 mil and he would stay here. It's about the staff's combined salary in football, so it wouldn't matter about Pearl's salary.

yabadabadoo1026 writes:

in response to IPOrange:

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 may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

He has already contacted Memphis insiders about the job. UT won't pay him more than Lane Kiffin ($2.5) because it's a football school.

Memphis agreed to match KY to keep Calipari.

So Pearl could make $3.5 MM or so plus incentives. And as you all have been saying, it's SO easy to win 30 games per year in CUSA and achieve a top 10 rpi. Funny, no one else in CUSA has done it.

Pearl is interested; won't that be a throat filler for vol fans if it occurs?

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:

It took Calipari 9 years to build UM's program up to where it is now, and 2 days to set it back 10 years. Forget about Pearl, he will not leave for Memphis. If UM offered him 4.5 to 5 mil, UT would offer him 3.5 to 4 mil and he would stay here. It's about the staff's combined salary in football, so it wouldn't matter about Pearl's salary.

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 may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

You guys are safe. No one is coming after Bruce. No one.

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 may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

You guys are safe. No one is coming after Bruce. No one.

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.

marc_ash#231781 writes:

in response to itsme53792#1349745:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

He has already contacted Memphis insiders about the job. UT won't pay him more than Lane Kiffin ($2.5) because it's a football school.

Memphis agreed to match KY to keep Calipari.

So Pearl could make $3.5 MM or so plus incentives. And as you all have been saying, it's SO easy to win 30 games per year in CUSA and achieve a top 10 rpi. Funny, no one else in CUSA has done it.

Pearl is interested; won't that be a throat filler for vol fans if it occurs?

Hahaha, and you were one of the Pearl bashers on this site.

Who will the joke be on itsme? UT or Memphis? If pearl is as bad as you've said he is, then you will inherit a poor coach.

On the other hand, if you want him so bad, you must be a closet fan.

Either way, you lose.

Oh, and everything you posted in your post was a lie.

Lets see your source if you have one? Otherwise, your have as much credibility as you do a head coach and recruiting class...zero.

marc_ash#231781 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.

What are you even talking about, or do you even know?

Read what was posted...UM has NOT contacted UT to talk to Pearl. If you want to see something funny, look at what's happened to your program in the last 72 hours...

Now THAT is some funny stuff.

Maybe you should change your schools name to Seinfeld U.

abnermc writes:

in response to 99aintagator:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

You guys are safe. No one is coming after Bruce. No one.

Fla would if they could

marc_ash#231781 writes:

in response to bluetiger:

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.

OF COURSE the school is taking this coaching position thing seriously...it's all the city has!

This article says it all:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/...

You guys want Bruce Pearl SO badly you can't stand it....thanks, we appreciate you again wanting something UT has...but it ain't gonna happen.

marc_ash#231781 writes:

in response to itsme53792#1349745:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

"Irrelevant again"? 23 NCAA invitations, 3 Final Fours, 12 Sweet 16s, 7 Elite 8s, and 2 NC games as runnerups. In each decade since the 50's, Memphis has had nationally ranked and prominent teams.

utenn (UT is in Austin) is irrelevant...having never made any substantial impact. Have you read Pearl's comments? In this newspaper?

And, FDX and the other corporate titans here are unwilling to allow that success to recede.

Irrelevant is reserved for utenn.

Wow, and even with all those "elite" accomplishments, your head coach still left for a school that didn't even make the NCAA tournament because he knew it was an upgrade.

Sad.

halloffamebowler writes:

in response to 99aintagator:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

You guys are safe. No one is coming after Bruce. No one.

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 may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

"Irrelevant again"? 23 NCAA invitations, 3 Final Fours, 12 Sweet 16s, 7 Elite 8s, and 2 NC games as runnerups. In each decade since the 50's, Memphis has had nationally ranked and prominent teams.

utenn (UT is in Austin) is irrelevant...having never made any substantial impact. Have you read Pearl's comments? In this newspaper?

And, FDX and the other corporate titans here are unwilling to allow that success to recede.

Irrelevant is reserved for utenn.

And an empty Trophy case to show for it.

Plasticman writes:

No way BP takes the Mempiss job. A step down to C-USA from the SEC?? I think not. He loves it in Knoxville and we all know what an armpit Memphis is.

Waldorf writes:

in response to itsme53792#1349745:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

He has already contacted Memphis insiders about the job. UT won't pay him more than Lane Kiffin ($2.5) because it's a football school.

Memphis agreed to match KY to keep Calipari.

So Pearl could make $3.5 MM or so plus incentives. And as you all have been saying, it's SO easy to win 30 games per year in CUSA and achieve a top 10 rpi. Funny, no one else in CUSA has done it.

Pearl is interested; won't that be a throat filler for vol fans if it occurs?

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.

Plasticman writes:

in response to Waldorf:

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.

Good point. When C-USA had Cincinnati, Marquette and Louisville, Memphis was a middle of the road team.

Waldorf writes:

in response to Plasticman:

Good point. When C-USA had Cincinnati, Marquette and Louisville, Memphis was a middle of the road team.

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 may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

The first guy KY called was Donovan's agent, who told them he was not interested. Anthony Grant then took the Bama job, and the rest is history.

Again, Bruce can put his cell phone on the charger, there will be no calls from anyone, anywhere.

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

marc_ash#231781 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.

Yea but the difference is Calapari was offered a better job.

Pearl would be taking a career demotion.

marc_ash#231781 writes:

in response to halloffamebowler:

And an empty Trophy case to show for it.

They have an NIT championship and a Parade...don't forget that.

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:

Good point. When C-USA had Cincinnati, Marquette and Louisville, Memphis was a middle of the road team.

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 may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

He has already contacted Memphis insiders about the job. UT won't pay him more than Lane Kiffin ($2.5) because it's a football school.

Memphis agreed to match KY to keep Calipari.

So Pearl could make $3.5 MM or so plus incentives. And as you all have been saying, it's SO easy to win 30 games per year in CUSA and achieve a top 10 rpi. Funny, no one else in CUSA has done it.

Pearl is interested; won't that be a throat filler for vol fans if it occurs?

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 may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

The first guy KY called was Donovan's agent, who told them he was not interested. Anthony Grant then took the Bama job, and the rest is history.

Again, Bruce can put his cell phone on the charger, there will be no calls from anyone, anywhere.

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 may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

He has already contacted Memphis insiders about the job. UT won't pay him more than Lane Kiffin ($2.5) because it's a football school.

Memphis agreed to match KY to keep Calipari.

So Pearl could make $3.5 MM or so plus incentives. And as you all have been saying, it's SO easy to win 30 games per year in CUSA and achieve a top 10 rpi. Funny, no one else in CUSA has done it.

Pearl is interested; won't that be a throat filler for vol fans if it occurs?

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 may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

The first guy KY called was Donovan's agent, who told them he was not interested. Anthony Grant then took the Bama job, and the rest is history.

Again, Bruce can put his cell phone on the charger, there will be no calls from anyone, anywhere.

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

Plasticman writes:

in response to Colliervol:

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".

I thought it interesting today when KY AD made the statement that Calapari has always abided by the rules. This Worldwide Wes AAU stuff is really shady. Not sure the Cat's want the NCAA sniffing around because of that relationship....

Colliervol writes:

in response to Plasticman:

I thought it interesting today when KY AD made the statement that Calapari has always abided by the rules. This Worldwide Wes AAU stuff is really shady. Not sure the Cat's want the NCAA sniffing around because of that relationship....

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.

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