The embattled Volunteers coach will not be able to participate in practices, sit in on meetings or coach the team on game days between Jan. 8 and Feb. 5, punishment for the coach's admitted NCAA rules violation and subsequently lying to NCAA investigators.
"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," SEC commissioner Mike Slive said in a statement released to the media. "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."
Slive later said on a teleconference with reporters that he felt the evidence warranted suspension for the entire season, but because Pearl "owned up to what he did" a half season suspension was "appropriate."
Associate coach Tony Jones will serve as the top coach during Pearl's suspension.
Pearl has been in hot water since a 17-month NCAA investigation into the team's recruiting practices revealed several violations. Pearl later acknowledged misleading investigators.
The school announced stiff self-sanctions in September, restricting Pearl from recruiting off campus for a year and his assistants for a period of three months to a year, as well as reducing salary by $1.5 million for Pearl and by 25 percent for his assistants.
"I made some serious mistakes and for that I'm truly sorry," Pearl said at the time. "I provided incorrect and misleading information to the NCAA. ... I learned some invaluable lessons. I learned it's not OK to tell the truth most of the time, it's OK to tell the truth all the time."
The investigation uncovered a violation in the recruitment of Aaron Craft, whom Pearl improperly hosted at his home. The NCAA obtained a photo from the visit, which Pearl later lied about. Crafted is now a freshman at Ohio State.
Pearl's contract was terminated Sept. 9, the day before the coach's mea culpa press conference. He has been working under a "letter of appointment" since, which means the coach could be fired or resign at any point. Athletic director Mike Hamilton said in October that the coach's next contract would be a five-year deal.
Tennessee Chancellor Jimmy Cheek said the suspension would not affect Pearl's contract status.
"Bruce is our coach, and he's going to be our coach for many years," Cheek said a press conference Friday. "We're going to get through this adversity."
When the NCAA sent Tennessee its letter of inquiry in September, the governing body said it expected to wrap up its investigation in December, at which time a notice of allegations against the school would be released. The NCAA may choose to accept Tennessee's self-sanctions or increase the punishment against the school.
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Gosh Pearl, (before)Kiffin...someone in Tenessee's Athletic Personnel Department is making some real bad hiring decisions...or are these two the kind of coach that fits nicely into the Culture of Tennessee's Athletic Program overall? Just wonderin...
As a Gator I say, give him what he deserves, heavens know Florida has gotten its share od sanctions. Damn glad we got rid of Cam "the cheater and stealer"! I'm sorry Auburn had to "pay" for him, LMAO... There are a lot of dat'ing sité in the Internet, but only few can give you opportunity of being happy. This is just what you need! check Agemi'ngl'e.C'-o M ) The main idea of our online d*t*ing sité is to unite all Oldér mén who are looking for youngér girl and Oldér wo*mén who are looking for youngér boy together and we try that all of them can trust us.
Time for Mike Hamilton to find a new job. Not only is he neck deep in the Lane Kiffin and Bruce Pearl debacles, but the greedy goon took personal salary increases of more than 60% over the last few years.
He charged the student body for their football tickets to pay for it. Time for the BIG ORANGE to find another AD!
Who would have thought a guy like Pearl who ditched his wife for a skanky looking chic his daughter's age would turn out to be a schmuck?
What a surprise! No wonder he could not recognize his own back yard during the SEC investigation!
What a friggin scumbag...he says some nonsense about learning he has to tell the truth all the time?? I have 3 year old twins who understand that. The university is going to allow this nitwit to continue to lead young men, what is wrong with the school? He should be fired ASAP. However because the school makes money on men's basketball he get's to continue his scumbag ways as long as he says OOOOh I'm sorry I lied, cheated and was unprofessional in every way. What a farce!! The only people who can get away with this type of behavior are senator!!!
And the worst of all of this is Pat Summit said if she did what Auriemma did (an ESPN visit for Maya Moore as a secondary no penalty issue and no other issuesof any kind) that she should be fired. Why isn't she insisting that Tenn. clean Pearl's office out for him?
Wow, that's almost impossible to believe that Tennessee will still give Bruce Pearl a 5 year contract after this is over. Are you kidding?? I honestly believe that at least 90% of big-time college programs would not rehire this man. Why would Tennessee rehire him after this?? Is the president of Tennessee allowing this?? Why isn't there an uproar from the Vols fans??
Vols fans have proven over time that they care about one thing - winning. They would hire the Devil himself if he could get them to the final four!
Pearl should be fired, period. That simple.
I followed Bruce Pearl when he coached in Wisconsin. All I can add is that he's a fiery person with a type A personality - kind of reminds me of Vince Lombardi, but Vince was from the east, catholic and untouchable. Perhaps Vince pushed the outside of the envelope, but he's considered a legend.
Like Lombardi, with Pearl, winning isn't everything, it's the only thing. But, Bruce went too far, got caught and is paying the price. He be back!
Vols fans deserve better. As a Gator fan that has been to Tenn. many times and always treated well, I say cut him loose!
Just another day in the ol SEC.
Reduce pay by $1.5 mil mmmmm. He is on the verge of 5 yr contract. Think he will be reimbursted the same sum? Now that would show the integrity of TN school officials! The only question left is when the next shoe will fall. College sports programs latley are as bad as.... Rest of you finish this comment for a little fun and humor
As a Gator I say, give him what he deserves, heavens know Florida has gotten its share od sanctions. Damn glad we got rid of Cam "the cheater and stealer"! I'm sorry Auburn had to "pay" for him, LMAO...
This Tenn coach was caught doing wrong, I only wish that the other Tenn Basketball coach could be caught doing wrong. Next to me hating Bobby Bowden from Florida State, I hate that evil eye Pat Summitt more. I am so sick and tired about seeing her and her teams winning all the time, as I am so sick and tired of Duke and coach K.
REDUCED HIS PAY by $1.5 Mil!!! What kind of money do these coaches make? While the press/media has no problems reporting all about the contracts and salaries of professional athletes there seems some deal that says they aren't going to report on the contracts and salaries of the coaches. Why Not?
What great values we have in this country. Another overpaid coach violates the rules and lies about it and does he get fired? Is he replaced by a more morally adept person..... no. He is suspended for 8 games, then all is as it was and he goes back to his 3 million a year salary. This great role model will continue to help mold these players. Lets hope they have the sense to know that violateing the rules and lying does not pay.......oh but wait, apparently it does!
Yeah because these things never happen anywhere else...right?
Bruce Pearl, as an Iowa assistant, was involved in a questionable recruiting incident involving Illinois and Deon Thomas. It should be no surprise that he continues to pull some shenanigans while coaching in the NCAA. Perhaps now the people in charge will realize what kiond of a yahoo they are dealing with. My sympathies are with Tennessee.
And if the University of Tenessee athletic department did a fraction of the research the school requires from their graduate students, they would become aware that this is not the first time Mr. Pearl has been involved in questionable activities while working as a NCAA level coach. Can you say "Follow the money"?