Former Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl is getting back into college basketball — sort of.
Pearl told the News Sentinel on Tuesday that he's launching his national media career with a show he'll start Monday night from Sirius XM radio studios in New York City. The show will be hosted by Jeff Goodman of CBSsports.com.
"I'm going to maintain my vice presidency with H.T. Hackney, a job I absolutely enjoy and feel blessed to have,'' said Pearl, who's in the first year of a three-year show-cause penalty assessed by the NCAA after an investigation into recruiting proprieties with the Vols.
"I enjoy dealing with our vendors and customers at Hackney, and I'm using my degree in business and marketing,'' he said. "But these media opportunities are also what I envisioned when they (NCAA) told me I couldn't coach anymore.''
Pearl, who led the Vols to six straight NCAA tournaments and the program's first Elite Eight and No. 1 ranking, said he'll also do regular shows with Tim Brando on Yahoo national radio as well as Nashville's 104.5 The Zone.
"I'm looking forward to this venture in broadcasting,'' Pearl said. "This is a way for me to stay in the game and continue to engage with fans who also love the game.''
Pearl had contracted media opportunities in the Knoxville market, but he declined.
"I felt like it would be unfair and unnecessary scrutiny on the current (Tennessee) staff,'' Pearl said. "I support Coach (Cuonzo) Martin and wish our players well. I miss them.
"But I feel the best way I can support them is to stay out of the way.''
Pearl's home remains on the market, but he said he still plans to maintain residence in the Knoxville area.
"I know what I'll be doing on Saturday,'' Pearl said. "I'll be in Murfreesboro to support the Bearden Bulldogs dance team as they try to win their second state championship in the last three years.''
Pearl will make a special appearance on the News Sentinel's Sports Page show between 10:25 a.m. and noon on Wednesday on WNML 99.1 FM, 990 AM.
Mike Griffith covers Tennessee men's basketball. Follow him on twitter at http://twitter.com/MikeGriffith32
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 41
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor paraphrase..."Thanks Hackney, but the first chance at making real money and my son graduates at Webb..I'm outta here!"
Bones never lie.
Stupid_Should_Be_Painful writes:
I saw Mr. Sansom in an interview say he will support Bruce in his decision when he feels it's time to move on. He is proud to have him at HT Hackney for as long as he can. Bruce Pearl is one of the finest, and I myself felt much pride and excitement to be a season ticket holder while he was our coach. Not the same without Bruce. Richard, you might want to research salt water pools. The pool is fine.
volsfan74 writes:
I was a huge supporter of BP but he caused his own problems and I have less respect for him.
Ayres_Hall writes:
I hope Bruce Pearl doesn't leave HT Hackney with the same scortched earth he left us.
He's a slick talking shyster who'll be great for radio and guys like Stupid_Should who will hang onto every word he speaks.
Greyfeathers writes:
Things I am suddenly tired of...Lyin Bruce...
TommyJack writes:
Rather harsh, dog.
givehim6 writes:
Some here in Volland still like you, Yes you did some bad things but who of mans flesh has not. You tryed to say I messed up and I'm sorry, to me you tryed to be a man and do the right thing. Some can not see it but UT BB is better of forhaving you been here. CCM has some big shoes to fill.
somebodywhoknows writes:
Good for you coach. Do a GREAT JOB!!!!!
sstirrer writes:
I say we bring him back in three years when his suspension is up.
A_Voice_ofReason writes:
Ole pearly is just killing time until he can get back in the college game to run another program into the ground. If you think for 1 second that he hasn't damaged the program in a major way, just look at the last 2 exhibition games the Vols played.
The good news is, Sirus XM Radio finally put up Pearls bio picture. I think it captures his good side.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...er+photos&docid=kx0b-9u06UK7EM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bZm5Tu2PA4mi2gXvtrC7Bw&ved=0CC0Q9QEwBA&dur=644
mempuss writes:
This would be awesome on soooo many levels! who knows...the ncaa might not even exist in 3 years.
knoxguy26#585353 writes:
Anything to stay relevant huh 'Coach?' I would rather listen to the Bones Never Lie guy than anything coming out BP's mouth.
lemich writes:
Good for you, Bruce. best wishes in anything you choose to do, we were fortunate to have you in Tennessee!
VOLFORLIFE writes:
I was a guest at a tailgate party sponsored by the H. T. Hackney Company before the LSU game (Hackney also paid for my game tickets and put my wife and me up in the Hilton at Knoxville Airport Saturday night). Coach Pearl made an appearance at the tailgate party, and talked personally with anyone who wanted to talk to him. He allowed his picture to be made with anyone wanting one, and believe me, there were many, including myself. I told him I missed him as our coach, and he developed, for lack of a better term, a forlorn look on his face when he said, "I hear you man, you don't know how much I miss you guys!"
I like what he said in the article: "I felt like it would be unfair and unnecessary scrutiny on the current (Tennessee) staff,'' Pearl said. "I support Coach (Cuonzo) Martin and wish our players well. I miss them.
"But I feel the best way I can support them is to stay out of the way."
I believe he means that, and I believe he means it when he says he misses the players and fans. He knows how badly he screwed up, and he knows he caused damage to the program. But I also believe he's remorseful over what he's done.
That's my take on the guy. I liked him before as our coach, and I like him as a person now that I've met him.
GO VOLS!!!
GO COACH MARTIN!!!
JUGHEAD
dantzknox writes:
"But I feel the best way I can support them is to stay out of the way.''
What a nice idea - since that is kinda what the NCAA intended with their sanctions.
secondcreek writes:
Your schtick is getting old, "Witch_Doctors"
D60 writes:
10 to 1 rather have him than what Hamilton fixed us up with now
knoxguy26#585353 writes:
Hamilton 'fixed' us up with Bruce Pearl.
VOODOOley-2011 (Inactive) writes:
This reminds me so much of the movie "Casino" with Robert De Niro who played Sam "Ace" Rothstein, a Jewish-American top gambling handicapper who is called by the Mob to oversee the day-to-day operations at the fictional Tangiers casino in Las Vegas.
Bruce can't coach due to NCAA Violations, and Rothstein can't now run a casino due to Gaming Violations, so he takes another job as the Food & Beverage Director, yet also has a weekly Television show to be the "mouthpiece" of what stinks with the gaming commission, life and anything in-between.
These "on-tv scenes" in Casino are embarrassing at best, and I expect no less from Bruce Pearl concerning Tennessee. What a disaster is this going to be.
Bubba_Knows writes:
Bruce Who?
tennrich1 writes:
You folks do know all the hatin is coming from fans of other schools whose tails still sting with the beatdowns they endured by CBP....surely you guys know this....when I read those things I literally laugh out loud....I KNOW FROM WHENCE THEY COME...and really I cant blame them to much...
LJS1984 writes:
I listen to Sirius all the time and Pearl's show will become a hit just like his basketball teams at Tennessee. I'm guessing that you, like all of the other Pearl critics will be clamoring for him to come back in five years when all the UTK programs are winless in the SEC. You can thank Mike Hamilton and his lack of oversight and leadership for many of Pearl's problems and the disaster that the UTK Athletic Programs are.
P.S. Before I get called a Fulmer lover, it was time for Fulmer to go. But Hamilton should have been gone before Fulmer and someone with some common sense that wasn't more concerned with adopting kids and going on "good will missions" to Africa during NCAA investigations of his own bringing should have been running the program.
VOODOOley-2011 (Inactive) writes:
I really don't understand your stance - Point on Bruce Pearl with your comment..
You're saying what??
ZTaylor writes:
x2
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor say then dont read it..duh
Bones never lie.
67classut writes:
UT is trying to keep its nose relatively clean in a world of orchestrated $500 handshakes. This, more than anything else, is why we're near or last in football. And poor Bruce was roasted for having a barbecue.
LJS1984 writes:
Point on Bruce Pearl with your comment??? What I'm saying is pretty evident in what I said. Pearl was failed by his "athletic director" and his " athletic department's, compliance staff." If Bruce's "athletic director" would have had any sense of leadership or intelligence, chances are Bruce Pearl is still the coach at Tennessee. To make it simple for you, if the leadership at the top would have stepped in much earlier and self-reported the infamous BBQ, then chances are Coach Pearl would still be the coach at Tennessee. The fact of the matter is that the Athletic Department had no idea what was going on when Hamilton was "in charge." Todd Raleigh said it best, before he got fired when he was quoted as saying the last time he talked to Hamilton was at the Athletic Department Christmas party. That was on May 20th when Raleigh made that statement. What small school has an AD that doesn't talk to a coach for 4 plus months much less one that makes millions of dollars and is in the top 10 of all revenue producing college Athletic Programs? Hamilton was a complete train wreck and that was 90% of Pearl's downfall. UTK is supposed to develop leaders and one of it's most influential employees in former AD Mike Hamilton was anything but a leader. Hence, when you look at the title of new Athletics Director Dave Hart today it includes the title of Vice Chancellor.
bigOutfan writes:
I second that!
dunglidave writes:
Thank you Mr. Saint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mocsandvolsfan writes:
I really liked watching Pearl AND his son at UT. Some will take that to mean I liked every thing about him and worshipped him. ridiculous assumption. I do however wish him well and like what he said about staying out of Martin's way. NOW if only the media would do the same.lol
Pearl's a great coaching personality and SHOULD be give the chance to coach again...I didn't think for his offenses he should have lost the chance to coach. Probation imho would have been plenty in his case. But the NCAA who has been given control of the college's ability to hire and fire said differently.
samvol writes:
Bottom line is that Bruce should have followed the rules in the first place and he didn’t. I know I know, no one is perfect and “everyone breaks the rules (blah blah)” so what. Bruce didn’t have to lie, he wanted to lie. Mike Hamilton, the athletic department or compliance department had nothing to with Bruce’s lying and cheatin. I don’t care how bad of an AD Mike was, he should not be blamed for what happened, he was not at Bruce’s house, he did not make Bruce break the rules and he did not tell Bruce to lie about it.
GoVols…GoZo!!!
GONAVY (Inactive) writes:
I'm assuming the show is Knoxville based. Whether it is a national call in base or not, I see Pearl being inundated with Vol fans wanting his every take on this year's team, its progress, Martin's coaching...he says he wants to stay away from that type situation- but his ego will rise to the top and I'm afraid he will get sucked in. If so, that's unfair to Martin. Not a slam on Pearl; just reflecting on his makeup and persona. Otherwise I think he'll be great at the new job.
crappieking writes:
After we don't make the Big dance the next three years, starting this year, BP will be in orange again. Hang in there coach!
lyons1960#229889 writes:
To get back in NCAA BB now BP has to tell the truth and the whole truth. If he does that UT will tumble down...Hamilton is gone too and remember and he got millions in a buy out.
So give BP some money (lots) and a title here and there...will he take more radio or tv gigs while vp of hackney?
Noo the UT family had to step up and give him a job so he can support his Xs Alimony Shop among other things. Good that he is gone. Thanks for keeping him tied to a short leash of $s.
D60 writes:
Ernie Grunfeld told Hamilton to hire Pearl, Mikey didn't have a clue on who to get.
cltvol writes:
I know there are some naysayers toward BP, but we are much better off as a program having him as a friend and someone that says good things about UT. I think he will be a big media player when all's said and done. He's very likeable. And I know there are those that question his ethics, icluding himself, but this world and none of us are perfect and @ least he's showing class and UT support publicly for what has happened.
sly_stone99#434111 writes:
Some of you don't have a clue. Pearl will never coach at UT again. Regardless if Coach Martin cuts it or not. You always move forward never go back.
tnseamstress writes:
I'm sorry but you cannot blame the AD on Pearl's behavior and his lying. He did it once, then twice. Yes, he did bring back what you can call the 'spark' to UT Men's basketball that hadn't been there for over 20 years. Yes I am a season ticket holder, yes I seen all his home games, I saw all his antics. Let's move on and it's time for new 'serious' traditions.
mocsandvolsfan writes:
Golly He lied about a bbq party that should have been allowed anyhow as long as their parents knew and gave permission. It was a stupid lie(as all lies are) but it shouldn'thave been a big deal imho. It became a big deal because the NCAA was offended that someone would actually lie about their ridiculous rules (in this case). Not all rules are ridiculous but how does a bbq give a school an unfair advantage?
GOLLY I can't believe we're still talking about this!!!?
ACWLY writes:
Best of luck Coach, always a fan!
bigdisbig writes:
Once you watch a few years of Cuonzoball you will be begging to get Pearl back. Cuonzo and Dooley are made from the same mold as Buzz Peterson....good guys but small vision. Pearl may have been dishonest in order to obtain better recruits but he was a winner no matter what anyone says. All you haters WILL be begging him to come back in 3 years.
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