03-28-2005, 03:37 PM
Reported by cbssportsline.com
Tennessee introduces Pearl as new coach
March 28, 2005
SportsLine.com wire reports
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Bruce Pearl was introduced as Tennessee's basketball coach Monday after leading Wisconsin-Milwaukee on a surprising run through the NCAA Tournament.
Pearl took 12th-seeded Wisconsin-Milwaukee to the round of 16 this year for the first time in the program's 109-year history. Tennessee failed to make the NCAATournament in four years under coach Buzz Peterson, who was fired March 13 after a 14-17 season. The Vols' last tournament appearance was 2001.
"I have complete confidence that he will take our program to the next level," university president John Petersen said.
Pearl spent nine years at Division II Southern Indiana and won the national championship there in 1995.
"He is a proven, nationally recognized winner," Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton said. "His teams are disciplined, mentally tough and exciting to watch."
Wisconsin-Milwaukee upset Alabama and Boston College before losing to top-seeded Illinois 77-63 in the semifinal of the Chicago Regional.
Fifteen years ago, Pearl was an assistant coach at Iowa when he secretly taped a phone call to an Illinois recruit. He gave that tape to the NCAA and touched off a 16-month investigation that resulted in Illinois being banned from the postseason in 1991.
Pearl visited Knoxville on Saturday to tour the campus and meet school officials. Bobby Lutz of Charlotte and Pearl were the only interviewed candidates remaining to replace Peterson. Mike Anderson of UAB and Dana Altman of Creighton removed their names from consideration during the weekend.
Tennessee introduces Pearl as new coach
March 28, 2005
SportsLine.com wire reports
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Bruce Pearl was introduced as Tennessee's basketball coach Monday after leading Wisconsin-Milwaukee on a surprising run through the NCAA Tournament.
Pearl took 12th-seeded Wisconsin-Milwaukee to the round of 16 this year for the first time in the program's 109-year history. Tennessee failed to make the NCAATournament in four years under coach Buzz Peterson, who was fired March 13 after a 14-17 season. The Vols' last tournament appearance was 2001.
"I have complete confidence that he will take our program to the next level," university president John Petersen said.
Pearl spent nine years at Division II Southern Indiana and won the national championship there in 1995.
"He is a proven, nationally recognized winner," Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton said. "His teams are disciplined, mentally tough and exciting to watch."
Wisconsin-Milwaukee upset Alabama and Boston College before losing to top-seeded Illinois 77-63 in the semifinal of the Chicago Regional.
Fifteen years ago, Pearl was an assistant coach at Iowa when he secretly taped a phone call to an Illinois recruit. He gave that tape to the NCAA and touched off a 16-month investigation that resulted in Illinois being banned from the postseason in 1991.
Pearl visited Knoxville on Saturday to tour the campus and meet school officials. Bobby Lutz of Charlotte and Pearl were the only interviewed candidates remaining to replace Peterson. Mike Anderson of UAB and Dana Altman of Creighton removed their names from consideration during the weekend.