Bruce Pearl goes to work for grocery company

Bruce Pearl

((ht: govolsextra.com))

Well, that is certainly a change in the old career arc. Former Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl, who essentially can't coach for a couple of years because of his NCAA violation issues, has taken a job working for a Knoxville area grocery wholesale company.

Pearl will, as of Sept. 1st, be the Vice President of Marketing for H.T Hackney Co. and while yeah, you can make jokes about hacking and basketball, it's a bit of a departure for the personable Pearl.

According to the govolsextra.com website, Pearl has a degree in marketing and economics from the Boston College School of Management.

Read more from the Knoxville News-Sentinel website RIGHT HERE

While we congratulate Pearl on his move to "Civilian" life, we do have a question. How is it someone with no actual experience in the field he is now entering can start as a Vice President at a reasonably large company?

Oh, it's owned by former Tennessee trustee Bill Sansom. And H.T Hackney is a pretty big company to boot.

And it was enough for Pearl to turn down the chance to coach in the NBA's "D" league. But hey, congrats to ya Brucie. You are a strong enough personality that yeah, you'll probably be reasonably successful. And like all good coaches who get in trouble or fired, a year or two away, and it is amazing how much better your future coaching prospects become.

Pearl, Assistants Get Show-Cause, Vols Get Failure To Monitor

The hammer has officially dropped on former Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl- three years of a show-cause penalty while his assistants during his tenure each get one-year penalties.

Tony Jones, Steve Forbes and Jason Shay all got ones according to the full report released by the Committee On Infractions. The failure to monitor the program charge translates into a two-year probation through 2013.

Pearl violated the bump rule and failed to disclose the bump during an investigation.

The football team also had 12 violations- all minor, but still significant- during Lane Kiffin's one year in Knoxville before he was almost burned at the stake by Vols fans who congregated outside the Athletics office during his resignation presser.

The NCAA was perturbed, but didn't do anything else to the football program or Cuonzo Martin's basketball program.

The whole report is hyah, thanks to our friends at WATE-TV...

Kiffin released a statement and sayeth quote...

"I'm very grateful to the NCAA, the committee on infractions and its chairman, Dennis Thomas, for a very fair and thorough process. I'm also very grateful that we were able to accurately and fairly present the facts in our case and that no action was taken against us. I'm pleased that the NCAA based its decision on the facts and not on perception. I'm also very grateful that the Tennessee football program was cleared of any wrongdoing. As I have said before, we always have been committed to following NCAA rules and bylaws both at Tennessee and now at USC, and we always will be. Now that this has reached its conclusion, I am looking forward to continuing to prepare our team for the upcoming season."

More when we know more...

PM UPDATE: We know more...
Steve Phillips from our friends at WBIR-TV has the lead in team coverage...

Janzen Jackson Dismissed From Vols

Janzen Jackson's time on the Tennessee campus has always been somewhat checkered...

Two years ago, it was because of an attempted armed robbery charge. Back in February, he announced his intention to bolt, but returned to think he could play in July...

So much for that idea... Jackson is gone, done, and otherwise out the door...

ESPN's Chris Low is sayingthat Jackson has fialed multiple drug tests during his tenure...

Coach Derek Dooley said in a release...

"Our program has devoted a tremendous amount of energy, resources, support, and care in an effort to help Janzen manage his personal challenges. I will always be there to help him as a person, but there comes a time when a player's actions preclude him from the privilege of playing for the University of Tennessee football team.

"Although I'm disappointed with this outcome, we will never compromise the long-term organizational values and goals we maintain here at Tennessee," Dooley said.

Dooley even talked about Jackson at practice...
Yesterday...
((HT: Knoxnews))

Lady Vols Head Coach Pat Summitt Diagnosed With Dementia. Will Try To Coach This Season (PM UPDATE w/REAX)

[HT: CBS Sports.com]

Gregg Doyel of cbssports.com is reporting that Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Pat Summitt has been diagnosed with dementia.

An announcement from the Lady Vols is expected sometime today. Former Lady Vol players are flying into Knoxville to see their former coach.

According to a former player Summitt will coach this season.

Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It affects memory, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior.

Govolsxtra.com released a story on Pat Summitt's medical condition...

“There’s not going to be any pity party and I’ll make sure of that.” Summitt told govolsxtra

Typical Pat Summitt.
The University of Tennessee released this statement from Summitt...


PM UPDATE: Here's the latest from our friends at both WVLT-TV
Rick Russo leads coverage for Volunteer TV


And our friends at WBIR-TV caught up with the voice of the Lady Vols, Mickey Dearstone...

Tennesse puts themselves on Probation

Bruce Pearl

((ht: knoxville news-sentinel))

We have an idea of what this means and we are quite sure it is trying to head off far more serious penalties by the NCAA.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel reported last night that the University of Tennessee has imposed a two-year probation on its athletic department. That, according to the paper, is a capper to the other penalties and punishments that have already been placed on the program.

You can read the story, and be as confused as we are RIGHT HERE

Here's what we think it means: Nothing. According to this, the school is of the opinion that no longer having Lane Kiffin and Bruce Pearl along with others on the athletic staff is a good start. They also point to the suspension handed down on Pearl as part of their proactive approach

All the probation essentially means is they will be in trouble if they do something again.

This is all to give the NCAA the message that they know they messed up and are handling it. It may or may not work. It certainly can't help. We certainly don't think this is as serious as the "alleged" violations at Ohio State, but it's already all but been decided tOSU is only getting off with a slap on the wrist. We think Tennessee is probably not going to get much more than that from the NCAA either.

The fine folks at WBIR-TV explain things on the TV side:

Could Heath Shuler take over Tennessee Athletic Director job?

Heath Shuler/R-N.C

((ht: washington post))

Hmmm. This is an interesting thought/idea. The Edge Radio's Tony Basillo (Knoxville station), brings up that Heath Shuler's name is being bandied about as a possible Athletic Director at the University of Tennesse and that Shuler has some interest.

You can read Basillo's blog RIGHT HERE (Scroll down once you open link)

The Washington Post thought the idea was interesting enough to follow up with an inquiry to Congressman Heath Shuler, of North Carolina's office. And the office didn't deny it, but said that Shuler is focused on the 2012 election.

Read the Washington Post story RIGHT HERE

While we don't hold Tennessee in high regard of late, we think that Shuler would be an inspired choice, if he were so interested. The school right now has all kinds of image problems in athletics and is facing an almost certain NCAA punishment for the dealings of now former basketball coach Bruce Pearl and former football coach Lane Kiffin.

Shuler would be someone who would go a long way towards restoring his alma mater's reputation. From his days as an All-american quarterback to the successes he's had in Congress, he's highly thought of in many communities.

The school, for their part, has been somewhat close lipped about the search for Mike Hamilton's replacement, though current Georgia Tech AD Dan Radakovich's name has been mentioned. We don't believe that he'd seriously take the job however.

We wish both sides of this courtship well. Tennessee, we'd be very impressed if you truly can pull this off. But considering the mis-steps of the past 10-years or so, we are very skeptical that you'll be able to do it.

While well thought of as a Congressman, Shuler didn't garner much respect in the NFL. Here's a story on the reason for that:

Former Tenn. and Alabama football player died from multiple drugs

Aaron Douglas/Courtesy: univ or al./al.com

((ht: wvlt-tv))

Former Tennessee and Alabama offensive lineman Aaron Douglas apparently died May 12th in Fernandina Beach, Florida from a combination of multiple drugs in his system.

That according to an area medical examiner. The autopsy report on Douglas said he had "Multiple Drugs in his body including Methadone and Diazepam."

Douglas, was a 21-year old who played one season at Tennessee and had transferred to Alabama. Interesting if for no other fact than those two schools truly hate each other and have a long history.

The original story from WVLT-TV in Knoxville RIGHT HERE

Douglas had a troubled football career and young life with several scrapes with the law. Those scrapes were a good part of the reason he left Knoxville to go to Tuscaloosa.

Here's some video of Tennessee coach Derek Dooley talking about Douglas leaving the UT Football team. Thanks Knoxnews/YouTube:

Vols Say NCAA Hearing Was "Fair..."

Whatever that means...

Members of the Tennessee Athletic Department spent more than 10 hours in front of the NCAA Committee on Infractions answering claims on the COI's allegations of 12 major violations committed by the football and basketball programs.

Bruce Pearl spent five hours answering questions from the NCAA and his output was matched by current USC head football coach Lane Kiffin for another five.

“We are glad we had the opportunity to present our case." Chancellor Jimmy Cheek said in a written statement released after the hearing. "We feel it was a fair hearing, and we look forward to the resolution of this matter.”

Here's an interview our friends at VolunteerTV/WVLT had with Bruce Pearl in the hallway...


Tennessee should have its answer from the NCAA in the next few months or so...

The HQ is looking for a few words in particular that will also apply in Columbus...

"Show cause..."

BREAKING: Tennessee Athletic Director Mike Hamilton Resigns

Mike Hamilton

Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton is done. Hamilton is stepping down effective June 30th.
the University of Tennessee is holding an 11:00 presser to announce that their beleaguered AD is resigning.

"My family and I love the University of Tennessee, and we love Knoxville. We have poured out our lives over the last 19 years to try to make this a better community, a better athletic program and a better university," Hamilton said in a statement released by the University. "We will forever cherish our time here and be eternally grateful to Doug Dickey for taking a chance on a young, 28-year-old in 1992. Serving as athletic director over the last eight years has been an incredible daily leadership lesson and a dream come true that I would never trade for anything. I appreciate everyone who has walked along that path with me. We have, without a doubt, the best staff, coaches, student-athletes and fans in America."

Read more from Volunteer TV RIGHT HERE

"The University of Tennessee's athletic programs have experienced great success under Mike Hamilton's leadership. Mike has led our teams to success on and off the field." University of Tennessee Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheeck said in a statement released by the University.

"Mike is a man of high integrity and deep faith. His contributions to our campus and its faculty, staff and students will live on for many decades, especially his positive influence on our student-athletes. We will miss him."

Hamilton has become a target after a series of poor hires. From Lane Kiffin to Bruce Pearl and others, the once vaunted Tennessee athletic department is on a really bad run, including NCAA violations among their problems.

Oh, by the way, the NCAA will be holding a hearing with the folks from Tennessee about all of their issues this coming Saturday.

Hamilton has been in the athletic department since 1993 and been the Athletic Director since 2003.

We will keep an eye on this story and update it when we are able to.

One name possibly floated out there in the earliest of stages is current television commentator Charles Davis. The All-SEC D-back has a history with not only the school where he got his undergrad and Masters degrees, but has ties to the conference through his internship and television work to date...

UPDATE:

Mike Hamilton will still have the funds to pay his bills after resigning. Under the terms of a separation agreement Hamilton will receive three years pay or around $1.3 million, eight season tickets for football and men's basketball for the rest of his life including 2 parking permits.

Click on the link to see the separation agreement. http://www.wbir.com/pdf/6711_hamilton.pdf

Tennessee takes Cuonzo Martin....really

Cuonzo Martin/Courtesy: midwestsportsfans.com

They sure didn't waste any time. The University of Tennessee has found their replacement for Bruce Pearl. That replacement, now former Missouri State coach Cuonzo Martin.

Martin coach Missouri State for 3 seasons and had a modestly successful record, including going 26-9 this past season. He was considered someone that might be a target for some of the larger schools, it was suprising, a bit, that he ends up in Knoxville.

More from GoVolsExtra.com RIGHT HERE

If the name sounds familiar, its because Martin made a pretty good name for himself as a star forward for Purdue in the early 90's. However in this case, he may have some work to do. The Vols are expected to take it on the chin from the NCAA sometime this summer for Pearl's indiscretions. Those indiscretions may cause Martin to be dealing with some form of probation or ban. That part remains to be seen.

He'll be introduced to the masses on Monday at a 2:30pm Press Conference.

Here's early coverage from Steve Phillips and our friends at WBIR-TV in Knoxville

Your Next Tennessee Men's Basketball Coach Is.....

The Knoxville News Sentinel is reporting that a source spilled the beans as to who the five candidates are to replace Bruce Pearl.
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2011/mar/23/five-coaches-top-uts-list-search-replace-bruce-pea/


Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon.

Villanova head coach Jay Wright.

Alabama head coach Anthony Grant.

Texas A&M head coach Mark Turgeon.

Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall.

Those of us at the OSG HQ say there is no way in hell Jamie Dixon and Jay Wright would leave Big East schools to coach the Vols. Ditto for Anthony Grant, why make a lateral move.

Turgeon is on everyone's list but has stayed at Texas A&M.

Marshall? If he makes a move its to NC State.

Good luck with that list.

DEVELOPING: Are Bruce Pearl's Days Number At Tennessee

Wednesday night Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton is not sure Bruce Pearl will be his coach next year.
In an interview with Knoxville radio station WNML Tuesday that aired Wednesday Hamilton was asked if Pearl would be back next season.

“We don’t know the answer today,’’ Hamilton responded.

“I think that we’ve done a lot of soul-searching about the direction of our program and we’ll continue to do that, and we’ll decide after we’re out of the NCAA tournament what the direction is we’ll go next,’’

The Tennessee men’s basketball program is alleged to have committed 10 violations, including a charge of unethical conduct levied against Pearl that involved a June 14, 2010 interview with NCAA investigators about a picture of him taken with a recruit on Sept. 20, 2008. One in which Pearl wasn't exactly forthcoming.

One can conclude that Tennessee better win the NCAA Championship to save Pearl's job. When it looks as if you have lost you boss, in this case your athletic director, your days seemed to be numbered.

This might be a move as well for Mike Hamilton to save his own backside. The last few years have been hell for the Tennessee A.D. What with the whole Lane Kiffin disaster and now this.

You might want to get rid of that ugly orange blazer coach Pearl.

DEVELOPING: Allegations Hit Knoxville...

There's only one allegation against the University itself...

The "failure to monitor" was found for basketball...
Nothing really new was found against the basketball program...
Bruce Pearl got the unethical charge we anticipated and also added a "bumping" secondary violation with contact with a junior.

A lot of stuff in the report was blacked out...
Shocking...

Here's coverage from our friends at WBIR-TV
Steve Phillips is front and center...


Young Kiffin had a prepared statement released...
"We have received the notice of allegations. On the advice of my legal counsel, we cannot comment other than to say we look forward to working through the process with the NCAA," Kiffin said.

Bob Ley, Pat Forde, and Andy Katz discuss on ESPN's "Outside The Lines..."

University of Tennessee: Notice of Allegations expected soon

Bruce Pearl/Courtesy: midwestsportsfans.com

It looks like the University of Tennessee will be "Officially" notified sometime this week that the NCAA enforcement staff will be spelling out their investigation to the school. They'll have 90 days to respond.

The Vols have had a run of trouble over the past couple of years, from the brief tenure of Lane Kiffin to the recent troubles of basketball coach Bruce Pearl. The one new allegation we weren't aware of; the baseball program is being investigated too.

More from the conveniently named "GoVolsExtra" RIGHT HERE

The school is definitely going to get in trouble. However the severity of the punishment, probably won't be known until sometime this summer. On their side, the school has been somewhat proactive with basketball coach Bruce Pearl, terminating his contract and making him work under a Letter of Appointment.

However, they have no control over the actions of Kiffin or the baseball team. It does however, seem like the basketball program is facing the brunt of the charges and probably should. The violations, as they are outlined, will get the team...and the school in trouble, we just don't know how much.....yet.

Does The Hammer Fall On Vols...???

((HT: ESPN/Katz))

We all know that head hoops coach Bruce Pearl has been in deep doo-doo since he apparently misled NCAA investigators during their quest for knowledge and information last year.

He's been working with out a contract and was given a substantial and involuntary pay decrease in Knoxville. Now, he's only part of the story where the folks in Indianapolis are notifying the school of allegations in the basketball, football, and baseball programs very soon.

Basketball... the HQ understands...
Football... the HQ understands...
But baseball...??? Really...???

It looks like Pearl may be given an "unethical conduct" charge by the NCAA- and that's a big no-no. And since more than one program is under investigation, you could hear that phrase that pays: "lack of institutional control."

The hearing is set for mid-June...

More when we know more...

Offseason Trouble season begins in Knoxville

Brent Brewer/Courtesy: tennessee.scout.com

Well, it wouldn't be February if there wasn't an off season issue for the University of Tennessee football program. We won't cast aspersions and we truly do hope that they have no other issues than this, but history hasn't been kind to them during this part of the year.

Sunday, head coach Derek Dooley had to suspend one of his players, a starter, safety Brent Brewer. Brewer was charged over the weekend with domestic assault.

More from the vaunted GoVolsExtra.com RIGHT HERE

Unlike the story we mentioned earlier today about the Florida International baseball player, Coach Dooley is doing the right thing until the case is resolved.

Lane Kiffin to leave lasting reminder at Tennessee

Lane Kiffn/Courtesy: everyjoe.com

Because his departure just wasn't enough to remember him by, former coach Lane Kiffin will apparently leave another piece of his vaunted coaching legacy in Knoxville, NCAA sanctions.

According to an article published on the Fanhouse.com website, the NCAA is going to cite the Tennessee program with a "Failure to Monitor" violation. There will apparently also be citations against David Reaves, the former assistant quarterbacks coach in Knoxville.

Read the excellent article by Fanhouse writer Clay Travis RIGHT HERE

Most of this apparently dates back to Kiffin's use of the "Orange Pride" hostesses along with some improper recruiting contact.

While we've been pretty critical in the past of the sometimes odd goings-on in Knoxville in regards to athletes, we think that the NCAA sanctions in this case are going to end up being not fair to those currently at the school.

It's astounding to us that a coach, such as Kiffin, can come in, run amok and do what he wants, getting in trouble with the NCAA--leave and suffer no repercussions. The school certainly will be paying the price.

Consider though, what we are saying is more a broad blanket statement. It's not so much about Tennessee suffering as schools in general that suffer. This isn't the first time a coach has broken the rules, left and made someone else deal with the fallout.

As for the athletic department in Knoxville, they should be worried. This, on top of the trouble that Bruce Pearl is in for basketball, could easily lead one to believe that there is no institutional control of the Tennessee athletics program. We may be wrong in that assumption, but the evidence is there. The dark-overlords of the NCAA do not look kindly on things like that and the thought of a school not monitoring things.

Tough time could be afoot. And while the school deserves some of the blame for the Kiffin hire, the so-called "Compliance" office that they allegedly have should be checking what their coaches are doing a lot better too.

Remember this story from January? When Kiffikins resigned to head to Southern Cal? Thanks WVLT-TV:

UT Hoops Player/Budding rapper may get Vols in more trouble

Renaldo Woolridge/Courtesy: slamonline.com

When it rains, it pours. The beleaguered University of Tennessee basketball program may have another NCAA violation issue to deal with.

The reason. Renaldo Woolridge, a junior on the squad and budding rapper by the name of "Swiperboy", got free use of a portion of a Knoxville restaurant last weekend...to shoot a rap video.

No, really, it's an NCAA violation.

The story from Andrew Gribble and Grant Ramey of GoVolsExtra.com RIGHT HERE

At his weekly media availabiltiy on Monday, Volunteer coach Bruce Pearl, already in trouble because of some rules violations said he hasn't yet met with Woolridge and isn't clear if the infraction is an actual rules violation. It is though, highly unlikely, that you can walk into the New Amsterdam Bar and Grill and get the same freebie.

Here's Pearl addressing the matter on tape...
((HT: Knoxville News-Sentinel))


We've harped on the free pass the Tennessee athletes get in the city of Knoxville before and we'll say it again: "It's great to be supportive, but there comes a point where it's being taken over the top". We do understand there isn't much else of significance in Knoxville to worship. But the fans there need to understand, love 'em or hate 'em, you need to treat your COLLEGE athletes like any other college student.

Here is young Mr. Woolridge a.k.a "Swiperboy" doing an Eric Berry for Heisman video last year. We do wonder how a college student can afford such a highly produced video....Just sayin'. Thanks UTSPORTSoCOM:

TWTW Bowling: Les Miles Laughs At Butch Davis And Clock Management

Casey Barth kicked a 23-yard field goal in the second overtime to have North Carolina beat Tennessee 30-27 in a Music City Bowl that just had a goofy finish that would make any SEC game proud from this past season...

Barth kicked a 39-yard field goal at the end of regulation after officials reviewed what they thought had been the final play of the game and went ahead and penalized the Tar Heels ((who finished 8-5 on the year)) for having "more than 11 men" on the field. As the UNC offense was trying to clock the ball, the field goal unit was running on the field at the same time.

There were, definitely, more than 11 men on the field...

The Big Ten officiating crew also announced T.J. Yates had spiked the ball with 1 second left- after the review...

That allowed Barth to run out the field goal that tied it at 20.

Tennessee ((now 6-7)) got another opportunity to have defeat snatched from the jaws of victory. Tyler Bray threw a 25-yard TD in the first overtime, but Quan Sturdivant picked him off in the top of the second OT...

Here's the ending...
((HT: ESPN/Youtube))

DEVELOPING: Pearl Suspended For 8 SEC Games

((HT: WBIR-TV Knoxville/GoVolsXtra, Griffith))

University of Tennessee Mens' Basketball Head Coach Bruce Pearl is suspended for the first eight games of the 2011 Southeastern Conference season.

In a press release from the SEC, the violations that led to the suspension were discovered during the recent investigation by the NCAA into his basketball program. The results were reported to the SEC by the institution.

"The suspension from coaching duties has been imposed after a careful review of the facts established during the NCAA's investigation and reported to the SEC office," said Slive. "I am extremely disappointed in the nature of the violations involving Coach Pearl and the Tennessee men's basketball program. The penalty applied to this circumstance is significant, which is consistent with the directive approved by the SEC membership in 2010 granting the Commissioner authority to act in such cases."

Pearl is suspended from all team activities on the dates of the following games:

Jan. 8, 2011 Tennessee at Arkansas
Jan. 11, 2011 Florida at Tennessee
Jan. 15, 2011 Vanderbilt at Tennessee
Jan. 18, 2011 Tennessee at Georgia
Jan. 26, 2011 LSU at Tennessee
Jan. 29, 2011 Tennessee at Ole Miss
Feb. 3, 2011 Tennessee at Auburn
Feb. 5, 2011 Alabama at Tennessee

"Team activities" means practices, meetings, pre- and post-game activities and the games.

Associate head coach Tony Jones will take over while Pearl is sitting on the sidelines, and his first game back is February 8th against Kentucky.

Pearl is still working without a contract...

Here's your reminder from Steve Phillips when that went down...