Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl's renegotiated salary falls well short of the reported $3 million Memphis was prepared to offer and he might not reach the $2 million mark next season.
A source told the News Sentinel on Friday that Pearl's new six-year contract will contain retention bonuses and the buyout money will increase. The order of distributing the funds in his contact will be restructured. Pearl and UT agreed in principle late Thursday on the new deal although details have not been released.
Pearl was due to make $1.7 million for the 2009-10 season and was due a retention bonus of $500,000. His previous contract also contained a $100,000 escalator clause, meaning he would have made $1.8 million in 2010-11.
UT athletic director Mike Hamilton has made the escalator (predetermined uniform raises) commonplace in his negotiations with football and basketball coaches, so Pearl's new contract is expected to have one.
Both Pearl and Hamilton have indicated they are comfortable with Pearl being the third-highest-paid coach in the SEC.
Kentucky coach John Calipari has a deal worth $3.7 million while Florida's Billy Donovan makes $3.5 million. Details of new Alabama coach Anthony Grant's reported $2 million contract have not been released, but Pearl's deal is expected to eclipse it with bonuses factored in.
The contract is expected to average approximately $2.4 million over the next six years with the retention bonuses and escalator raises factored in.
Part of Pearl's new contract includes an increase in the salary pool of his assistant coaches that is consistent with the percentage his contract is increasing (roughly 15 percent).
UT associate head coach Tony Jones and assistant coach Steve Forbes are both expected to make at least $200,000 (up from $182,435 and $170,771 last season, respectively), while assistant Jason Shay will see his salary increased from $125,000 to approximately $140,000.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
National Signing Day 2010
Tennessee Lady Vols 82, Auburn Tigers 64
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 62
imw8n4u writes:
wow
GahLee writes:
Hamilton continues to do the right thing...we were all on him for giving Fulmer raises when we didn't think that it was warranted but he has done a very good job in my opinion...This just goes to show how much Bruce loves it here...if he won't leave for Memphis and a whole lot more money, then what would he leave for? Not many teams can afford to throw 3.25 million at a coach, if they can they are one of the more elite teams in the country and they only come calling once every so often...glad to have suPearlman locked down for years to come...Go Vols!!!
mattlock writes:
Shay aka Florida killer definitely deserved a raise.
imw8n4u writes:
sorry - had to take care of the "firsties". This answers a lot of questions for me about Pearl and how loyal he is going to be to TN. To accept this much less money and a larger buyout is excellent news for us. The future of UT B-Ball is in good hands! Thanks Bruce!
Fryinpansvols writes:
In other news.... I read an opinion article that listed two former Vols that he thinks should get their numbers retired. Here is the site: http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features...
Fryinpansvols writes:
If the suspense is killing you it's Bernard King and Allan Houston two great Vols that played for the New York Knicks.
Voluvr writes:
I'm telling you right now, Hamilton better quit jacking around on the cheap. If a better program comes in, that <$1mil short of other SEC coaches phooey doesn't cut it. That new coach at Georgia is making that and he hasn't done anything.
I think we may have just set ourselves up to lose Pearl. 2.4 mil? Way under market and unbelievable.
bmaples writes:
Sorry -- got to put the word in for Mears as most important previous coach. Inventor of so many Tennessee traditions, and constant thorn in Kentucky's side ... plus putting some pretty good teams on the floor.
Devoe built on the foundation Means laid, and Pearl continues to build on it. In some ways, Pearl is surpassing Mears; in some ways, WAY surpassing. But we have to always give props to the Mears-man.
Bruce in Louisville
brucemaples.com
OrangeMan_86 writes:
Bruce Pearl wouldn't have turned down Indiana last year. Memphis this year. Would have waited around for Arizona to call etc. If it was all about money for him. I am sure Hamilton would have given him a lot more but he sat down with Pearl and this is what Pearl wanted. Pearl was more worried about getting raises for his assistants. Tennessee was one of the only major universities to give him a shot. He was blackballed because of the Iowa/Illinois debacle. Calm down man. This is where his heart is and life isn't all about money. You wouldn't know that this day in age but Bruce Pearl is truly one of the good guys. Don't worry about it. Not only did he pass up big time schools and take less than what they would offer but they even upped his buyout which was a whopping 2.5 million. He wants to be here and he is letting the fans know that. Tennessee may not be a basketball school but he is quickly bringing it up to the same level as football and he wants to create his own legacy. Neon Orange man.... he loves it. We love it. We love him. What a great man.
cobbwebb writes:
to all the lame brain knuckleheads who were FEMALE DOG i n and complaining about pearls raise, you know who you are! well this one is for you: step off chumps! you goons with your ignorant ranting, are the exact reason this basketball program was garbage for 20 or so years! "what has pearl done" i heard you say! for starters he has taken a program from the ashes, from the depths of the SEC, and made them competitive! second, he has brought us national exposure like we have never witnessed! third, he is bringin in better quality athletes, that we are not used to having! "we cant pay a bball coach more than a football coach", that is the dumbest thing i have ever heard! why not? is it written in the UT handbook? you smallmind bandwaggoners seem to forget, or just dont care , where we were at, just 5 short years ago! do you think kansas would have given us a home and home series? uh no! did we have 90% of our games on tv? uh no! i am proud of what pearl and my vols have accomplished over the past 4 years! i sat in the tommy bowl as a child, and cheered for my 5 win vols in the early 90's, i just knew my vols would pull it out against the big blue when they were down by 58! you johnny come latelys need to get a grip, pearl is not a threat to your football program, or maybe your just scared because he has raised the bar, and football is not holding up its end of the bargain! so in closing, pearl made you all look like the chumps and fools you are, cause in the end he took less money, and "greedy pearl" as some like to call him, got more for his assistant coaches, and he showed loyalty, in remaining with TENNESSEE! but thats ok because you will all be back on the wagon next year when we are rolling through the NCAA tourney! GO VOLS! sincerely, bruce pearl fan!
jzt writes:
It appears both Pearl and Hamilton were very level headed in this agreement and I as a Vol fan are very appreciative to the both of them. Both men's commitment to the basketball program is very evident. Thank you Mike and Bruce, Go Vols!
Voluvr writes:
I hope you and Plasticman are right. I just don't think we would attract anybody near the coach he is if he leaves.
I knew Hamilton when he was over the VASF about 4 rungs under the AD job. He just about got hired from that position. Since then, he has surprised me.
In this day of coaching hot shots, I'm sure Pearl has further endeared himself in the hearts of the orange flock.
txvolsfan writes:
Georgia is paying Fox 1.3million, I didn't major in math but I believe that is less than 2.4million?
cobbwebb writes:
p-man, it sounds like we are about the same age! i spent many (optimistic) years rooting for the hardwood vols, every year, "this is our breakout year", i would say, or "maybe wade houston will get us going in the right direction", or "this buzz peterson guy is a young up n comer"! i longed for my bball vols to be dancing in march, to pick them in my bracket(ncaa), instead of "maybe we can make the nit"! we have a guy in pearl, that we should be proud to call "one of our own"! instead we want to bash him because he hasnt won an ncaa championship! by the way where are all the bashers at today? they are hiding under their miserable little rock they crawled out from under yesterday! these same morons who were complaining about pearls raise, would have been the first ones crying if he didnt get one, and left for memphis! you think this is bad, wait till kiffin and co. lose 5 or 6 games next year! they will be ready to run them out of knoxville as well! the mentality of some TENNESSEE fans drives me nuts! we can pull for basketball, and football, at the same time! i know it seems inconceivable to some, but if you try really hard it is possible! i love the fact that memphis fans hate us, or kentucky, and florida fans cant stand pearl, and the vols! that tells me we are relevant again! so p-man, pull out all the stops when it comes to cheering for pearl, and his squad!i know i will! GO VOLS!
BSweet writes:
Pearl wouldn't agree. He showed Coach Mears proper respect. Have some class and do the same.
cobbwebb writes:
coach mears is the man! bsweet you my friend are correct! mears may have paved the way for a showman like pearl!!!
ballewville6 writes:
devoe didnt build on what ray mears started he continued what mears was doing for 5 or 6 years then let the program steadily fell until he was fired,when mears coached there was no 64 team ncaa tourny field devoe never had a team that was as good as the team mears coached the best teams devoe had was the year just after mears left most were recruited before he got there.pearl brought ut basketball back to life with energy that devoe never showed plus pearl recruits players that devoe never tried because devoe went after top prospects like john snodgrass who wa a great instate prospect who was not worth a scolership to south collage who dont have basketball teams.after devoe left ut was in such bad shape it was considered a coaches graveyard no player wanted to come to ut because they didnt know who would be coaching them next yearas long as pearl still gets sec east or sec overall titals and good teams that people want to come and watch and get good players and make that final 4 and ncaa tital and not let calipari out recruit him every year cause we know pearl is as good or better bench than calipari,2010 we have some good recruits but we need to get more because we are losing alot after next year
OrangeMandM writes:
Dude, you crack me up. I love reading your posts. BUT..... If we pay him 8 mil, his X-wife could open up a chain of spas. lol
VOLKING writes:
You are obviously:
a- less than 25 years old
b- in the minority regarding your opinions of Coach Mears
c- have no knowledge of UT basketball tradition
d-out of your freaking mind!
e-a completely classless idiot.
rockytopman writes:
Thanks for the loyalty, CBP. We are thankful to have such a coach. And another thing, thanks for making UT Hoops relevant again. GO VOLS!!
BGHISLE writes:
lofton was awsome and from kentucky happy birthday, merry christmas from Ricky P. and Tubby S.
BGHISLE writes:
Be afraid be very afraid, Kentucky has the potiential to not only have the #1 recruiting class comming in Meeks and Pat are commin back!! Sorry guys but were back and powerful as ever we swept you guys without cousins or orton imagine if they come and they are! So good for BP im glad maybe he will get naked this year! He ought to makin that much money coaching here. Oh yeah not to mention Wall, man this just gets better every day for the program (Kentucky) with the most wins, nba players drafted, sec titles, etc. etc. We have always been the best in the SEC and always will so get over it.
GR82BAVOL writes:
A chain of spas, LOL!
There was an interesting conversation going on in the Tri-Cities (on the radio) as I was driving through yesterday. A caller was complaining that Pearl had held up the university for more cashola by not coming out sooner and saying that he was staying. He backed it up by saying Pearl admitted to "leaving some things on the table" this season and was frustrated, and that he didn't deserve a raise or even an effort to retain him if he wanted to go. Of course the show's guest host disagreed.
Here's what bothers me about that angle: For some reason, there are many Tennessee fans that still don't understand what we have in CBP. They'd rather concentrate on what has happened outside of basketball and all of the negatives this season brought. They all seem to forget that not only did we lose one of our most prolific shooters of all time (Lofton), but we also lost another huge leader (Bradshaw) along with two more very talented players, one that could've made it easier for Wayne to stay low in the post instead of running around on the perimeter and attempting so many 3's (Crews), and another who could handle the ball and take it to the hole (R. Smith).
We started last season so far in the hole that I wondered if we would ever see any daylight. Then came the pre-season polls. I was shocked! Where in the world was this coming from? We weren't to the point to where we could just reload at Tennessee yet, so why the lofty pre-season numbers? Then came the rush to judgement when we struggled. I couldn't believe what some were expecting from this team and its coach.
The only thing I didn't agree with CBP on this past season was that he didn't continue with his "Permanent Press" style of defense. I really believe we could've gained momentum with it during the season, added more depth to the rotation, and peaked at season's end. Other than that, I was surprised that not only were we picked to finish 1st in the SEC, but that we make the NCAA tourney with what was left from last season's team once the dust cleared.
I believe CBP will someday take us to the "Promised Land". Will it be next year? No. We've lost so much more than we've gained over the past couple of seasons, particularly with the "clean-up" still in progress (I hope that's over with), but in a few seasons down the road, don't be surprised when he takes a team at or near the top of the food chain. He's won at every level. I didn't even know there was a UWM until they made all of that noise in the NCAA's a few short years ago. It's just a matter of time before it happens here.
utucla writes:
I guess you are excluding the last two years...and the Eddie Sutton years....and the first couple of Rick Patino years....and the two years in a row that FL won the Nat'l Title...and the two years that AR was in the Nat'l Title game...and the year FL lost to MI State in the title game...shall I keep going?...."Always the best"...give me a "f"ing break...
letshave1more writes:
If the AD can find the funds to give him the raise-I have no problem. I can remember a few years ago when Buzz was the man and 2500 fans for a home game does not cut it!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I agree with you, but you will NEVER convince Rob/Bob/Naffy. He is just as mental on the subject of Mears as he is on Manning. I would have thought you, being a long-time regular on the site, would know that you are just wasting your time responding to him. It's just a reflex with him; pull his string in any way, and out comes, "Mears/Manning were terrible" or some such. He's an idiot; ignore him like you would gatorzzzzz.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
See what I mean, bmaples? No awareness of different eras, no understanding of what a black hole UT basketball was before Mears, and no appreciation for the enthusiasm he generated. Rob/Bob/Naffy is like the old nobility of Austria-Hungary, of whom it was said that they learned nothing and forgot nothing.
OrangeMan_86 writes:
That means nothing. Memphis has had a better team than Kentucky over the past few years. Bruce Pearl is 2-2 vs. Memphis and John Calipari. It was Billy Gilespie that had Bruce Pearls number. With John Calipari at the helm, you can have as much talent as Memphis did and Tennessee stands a better chance. Coaching style matters and Pearl didn't know how to handle BG's. He knows exactly how to handle John Calipari though. Thin what you want though. Despite playing a way better schedule and getting swept by Kentucky, Tennessee still finished ahead of Kentucky so good for Kentucky.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
P_U_N_C_T_U_A_T_I_O_N! And an occasional appropriate capital letter! I THINK you might have some good points here, but it is just not worth the trouble to try to decipher this stuff! I would hate to think you were a UT grad.
cobbwebb writes:
good post! but you left out one name, and this backs up my point! we lost probably the single most underrated player in TENNESSEE history, jujuan smith! all this guy did was play in your face defense, usually drawing the opposing teams best player! j. smith was clutch, he could knock down shots with the best of em! smith opened things up for lofton as well(not taking anything away from lofton)! i think i miss him more than anyone from last year! dont get me wrong, i love lofton, he will go down in UT history, but smith was the man!
BGHISLE writes:
I dont make the rules history tells the tell
BGHISLE writes:
I just joined a sea of blue too. The answer is, can we hear it BOB? Rick P. left for the Celtics, and Tubby went crazy thinking Porter is a schol. player.
TurnUpTheVOLtage writes:
restructed? Come on KNS, this has been on the front page for 2 days now, how about using a word that exists in the english language to describe Bruce's deal like restructured.
BGHISLE writes:
Three words Kentucky swept UT
movol53 writes:
For those of you who are too young to remember or not knowledgable about UT BB let me fill you in. Just go look at the UT BB media guide you will see that UT is third in BB wins in the SEC. That means that sometime in the past UT had good teams for a number of years. Ray Mears, who like Pearl, came from a small college to UT put UT BB back on the map. NO we did not go to the Final four because there was no Final Four as you young ones think of it today.
Beleive it or not the NIT was the BIG post season gig!!! It was not until the mid to late 1980's that the NCAA tournament became what it is today. In fact they only allowed 16 teams to play in the post season and it has grown from there; and the NIT has become second fiddle. I really love all of the sports at UT (I grew up in the Farragut(1971)/west Knoxville area)and we have nothing to female dog about. It is sad to think how many people comment on here and have little or no knowledge about where UT sports came from and how UT has always been "a measuring stick" that other teams used to compare themselves with in football and basketball. Even during the last Fulmer years TV announcers were heard to say things like if this team can come here and beat UT they have a pretty good team because UT has been,historically very competitive in most sports most years. Kentucky has won several national BB champioships but who gave them problems most every year. Same with Fla they've won two BB Championships recently who beat the champs UT DID!!! Geno at UConn cannot stand it that Pat has more than he and he will do ANYTHING to beat UT. We are going to have up and down years every program does. Fla won two BB championships recently and now a good mid major school could beat them. I've said enough my point is someof you need to look back past last year; because sports were played before you were born. I believe we are on the road to getting better in all sports (well not so sure about Baseball) but it will take time.
BGHISLE writes:
Im not knockin UT and the year they had, hell we suffered through the NIT for the first time in 17 yrs. I am always happy about SEC schools going to the big dance. Calapari still has Pat.P. and Jodie Meeks. Meeks almost beat you guys by himself. I guess hes gonna fold next year, i wouldnt bet on it.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
many of you won't agree, but I think Ky will be in final four within 2 yrs.
Cal took a program that was devastated and with no talent and did well. After a few yrs. he was almost unbeatable. Now he has a team already stocked with great players with Wall and Cousins coming. I can't argue with the Ky interlopers. They will be formidable in the East. They will be beaten occasionally by Tn. and Fla. but will probably dominate overall.
BGHISLE writes:
Sorry wrong guy
BGHISLE writes:
Also a good point UT has only won three of the last eight against UK. Maybe behind in the polls but not in wins over your team.
movol53 writes:
It's not MY UT BB history it is the history of UT BB. I never stated that Mears won any championships (reread it)I merely stated that Mears got UT better than we were before and he DID make UT better. And as far as a National spotlight; most would think a cover on SI with Ernie and Bernie did put UT in the National spoltlight briefly. UT BB had never been on the cover before. And who are you to say those other teams/coaches you mentioned had less talent than UT and won more? Dismal? Mears had winning seasons all but two years and was the thorn in Rupp's side many times. Yes Bruce as taken UT to the sweet 16 but during the Mears years only 16 teams qualified to go to the NCAA's so really Pearl has not move us much as far as getting us past the best 16 teams. I am thrilled that Bruce is at UT but I've not seen the progress at UT that he made at other schools. I truly think he will move us in that direction.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Dang! That's what I get for not checking my email more often(;-P)!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
You make a lot more sense than those who thought Hamilton should have low-balled CBP. Still, there is something to be said for leaving a little room to raise him for getting past the Sweet Sixteen or something. If we went all the way to $3mil now, what should we pay him if he does that or better? I don't think we should go that high in the next few years unless he makes a Final Four or someone makes a REALLY serious run at him.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
What did that have to do with my post?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
No rational Vol fan would ignore UK's historical greatness. Most such think Calapari will greatly improve UK's recruiting. The fact that UK was able to blow us out twice last year says more about how inconsistent both teams were than about how much "better" UK is than we are right now. I expect that the UT-UK series will be at least as competitive as it ever has been, since I think both programs will be better in the future. All I'm saying is that just because UK has Coach Cal there now, the Big Orange will still show up to play and we will all just have to see how it turns out.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Good points. What Rob/Bob/Naffy refuses to recognize is that under today's rules for NCAA tourney bids, nearly ALL of Mears' teams would have qualified and some of them WOULD have made some noise. Of course, as we all know, Rob/Bob/Naffy is the sole arbiter of reality for all of us, at least in his own narrow little universe(;-P)!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
To expand on my previous point, Rob/Bob/Naffy refuses to recognize that under the NCAA rules in Mears' day, at most only ONE of CBP's teams would have qualified for the NCAA. In fact, the entire conference only had ONE NCAA entry each year, as did every other conference. Only one of CBP's teams won the regular-season SEC title and the SEC did not even have a conference championship tourney in Mears' day; which, by the way, CBP has never won. I love CBP, but to try to use him to put down Mears, when CBP himself thinks Mears was a great coach, just shows how dumb Rob/Bob/Naffy can be.
movol53 writes:
Thanks for your input. I usually read the comments but don't pay attention to the writer. Guess I should in the future. I'm thankful that you pointed out to me that I was having a conversation with either Moe, Curley or Larry Negative. As you know some people are ALWAYS right (even when they are wrong). Seems that any team or season is a failure unless the team wins the national championship.(At least in the eyes of some). NOT!! Many teams are very good without winning it all.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Like it or not guys...Vol fans measure the Kentucky game far more than any other game..not even close..for over forty years...the Vols are known as poison to any Kentucky team that visits Knoxville. The Vol home floor has been the Wildcats Waterloo. The Vols have beaten top ranked Kentucky teams time after time...In 1966-67 season, the Vols knocked off a great Kentucky who was unbeaten and ranked No#1 in Knoxville at Stockly arena, 72-66...This voodoo over Kentucky when they played in Knoxville continued after Mears left..In fact Don Devoe defeated Kentucky like a drum..in fact in the first 11 games under Devoe's teams beat Kentucky eight. One year Devoe beat Kentucky three times in one year, (79).
Ralph_Crampton writes:
If I were coach Pearl, I would go right after Kentucky, beating the Wildcats create fan satisfaction...Mears drew a line...Kentucky does not beat the "big orange" in Knoxville, not ever. This is the main reason that Ray Mears served a long tenure as Vols' head coach..and in 1977, was voted the most popular man in Knoxville.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Good stuff! Glad to have you aboard!
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