Bruce Pearl Biography

Due to the scandal (see below), Bruce Pearl is no longer coaching basketball. He's now a VP of Marketing for H.T. Hackney Co., a wholesale grocery company in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee's new basketball coach is Cuonzo Martin.

The NCAA hammered Bruce Pearl, but let Tennessee off the hook. Was that the right thing to do? I think so.

Bruce Pearl is currently in the midst of coaching his third season at the University of Tennessee. He has brought tremendous success to UT's MEN'S basketball program in a very short time. (In fact, as of this writing, the Vols are currently ranked #1 in the Nation for the first time in UT men's basketball history!)

Tennessee Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl.
Thanks Daniel Sieradski at flickr.com for the picture.

Factoring in his tremendous success at his previous positions, there is little doubt that Bruce Pearl is now considered one of the top college basketball coaches in America.

Prior to joining the University of Tennessee, Bruce Pearl (who was born in 1960 in Boston Massachusetts) spent a number of years honing his coaching skills at a number of other fine basketball institutions, institutions that, while potentially competitive before Pearl's arrival, pearl definitely helped to elevate to another level.

Pearl's first coaching jobs were jobs at the Assistant Coaching level. First, he was hired by his alma mater, Boston College, before eventually moving on to Stanford University, and then the University of Iowa, to serve as assistant coach under then head coach Tom Davis. It was while he was at Iowa that the University of Southern Indiana contacted him about becoming their head Coach.

Pearl's first head coaching assignment came at the Division II University of Southern Indiana, where he was hired in 1992. During his tenure at the University of Southern Indiana, Pearl helped resurrect a struggling Screaming Eagles program, and very quickly elevated it to the level of not only national contenders, but also to the level of Div. II National Champions.

In his debut season, he led the team to a 22-7 overall record, and the team went on to the Division II Championship game, where it finished as runner-up. An even better regular season in his following season (a 28-4 overall record) ended similarly, with a deep and successful run in the Division II Tournament that just fell short. However, in his third season, pearl and the screaming Eagles finally got over the top, and managed a 29-4 mark on the year en route to a Division II national championship.

Thanks to weltal327 at flickr.com for this photo of Bruce Pearl coaching
in his BRIGHT orange jacket.

Following his tenure at southern Indiana, Pearl went on to Division I UW-Milwaukee, where he first became known on the national scene. While at UWM, Pearl helped guide the team to 3 consecutive post season appearances, the third and final coming in 2005, when his UW-Milwaukee squad made a memorable run to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen.

Over the course of his final three seasons, Pearl amassed win totals of 24, 20, and 26 games, and became known as one of the best mid-major head coaches in the nation, which is why it only made sense a major school like the University of Tennessee would eventually come calling.

Pearl was hired by the University of Tennessee prior to the 2005-2006 seasons, and he had an immediate impact on the program, leading them to a 22-8 record and NCAA Tournament in his first season. In his second year, he led UT to a 24-11 record and the NCAA Sweet 16. In only 2 seasons, pearl has elevated himself to the top of the class among SEC head coaches, and his reputation seems to only get stronger as time goes by.

Bruce Pearl starring in his own show!.
Thanks Michael Wender at MichaelWender.com for the picture.

Bruce also has developed a great relationship with Lady Vols legendary basketball coach Pat Summitt and has shown tremendous school spirit. Check out this video from last season:

Bruce Pearl, in the 16 years since he has been a head coach of NCAA basketball, has compiled a staggering winning percentage of .780. His total career record is 378-105.

Over the course of that 16 year run, Pearl's teams have never had a losing season, and have only won less than 20 games one time, in 2002, his first season with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he managed a record of 16-13.

Pearl's teams have also had a tremendous track record of making NCAA post season tournaments. In his 16 seasons of head coaching, pearl's teams have made their respective post-season championship tournaments in 15 of those 16 seasons.

The NCAA hammered Bruce Pearl, but let Tennessee off the hook. Was that the right thing to do? I think so Bruce Pearl NCAA Sanctions

After the Tennessee debacle, what's the Update on Bruce Pearl's future

If you are an Tennessee basketball fan, you should read our current Tennessee Volunteers Basketball and Tennessee Volunteers Basketball History page.

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bruce pearl is a disgrace
Bruce Pearl is a laughable, pathetic disgrace. The college basketball world has absolutely no respect for his low class behavior and demonstrably inferior …

Bruce Pearl an excellent coach Not rated yet
Those who condemn Bruce Pearl, are those who are perfect individuals. They have never lied when caught, never got caught up in the moment and never did …

joewillie1 Not rated yet
Say good-Bye to Bruce. He's headed for 'Zona since Lute's leaving

Bruce Pearl Can Coach! Not rated yet
When it comes to college athletics and their respective institutions often times many programs are known best for the sports they excel at. Ask anyone …

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