Debate: Bruce Pearl - Great Coach or Flash in the Pan?

**JonDMiller** · 03-27-2007, 10:27 AM

I think Bruce is a very good coach, a great motivator and a good recruiter. His style is familiar to Iowans, as its very similar to that of Dr Tom Davis, but his teams are playing more man to man defense.

**benjay** · 03-27-2007, 10:33 AM

I do not want Iowa to get Pearl. Tubby Smith's hiring has already changed the midwest recruiting dynamic, and Pearl at Iowa would make it an all out recruiting war - instate and throughout the midwest.

Not that I don't think McDermott is up to the challenge. :)

**Rage On** · 03-27-2007, 10:35 AM

I wouldn't say he has left any jobs prematurely. Indiana State for 9 years and UW-Milwaukee for 4. He is a good coach.

That being said, I still don't understand why he would leave Tennessee for EIU. Seriously, they love him down there and would be able to easily match anything that EIU offers. He's drawing close to 19,000 in attendance for home games and wants to add more seats. What was EIU's attendance in 2006-2007? Around 10K? I don't see him leaving.

**Cyclonepride** · 03-27-2007, 10:37 AM

I think Pearl is a really good coach and recruiter. With that said, I think that, in a key game situation, against a Tim Floyd type disciplined team with at least comparable talent, he would lose 8 out of 10. Their teams just seem to jack it up at the first opportunity, which is great when they are falling.

**benjay** · 03-27-2007, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by JonDMiller

I think Bruce is a very good coach, a great motivator and a good recruiter. His style is familiar to Iowans, as its very similar to that of Dr Tom Davis, but his teams are playing more man to man defense.

So having said that, what would compel him to move to Iowa? At best, it's a lateral move... and it could be argued that it is a marked step down.

**CrossCyed** · 03-27-2007, 10:50 AM

If Iowa hired Pearl, I'd have to learn to dislike the guy, cause I do like him now.

**Wesley** · 03-27-2007, 11:10 AM

Pearl is a real jewel in the rough. Iowa Hawk fans are saying the Iowa history book looks better than the Tennessee history book. Yet, what have you done recently?

Recruiting new Mexico is more difficult than recruiting for Iowa. I am not sure NM has any D-1 talent.

**htownclone** · 03-27-2007, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Bryceman

I am not sure NM has any D-1 talent.

NM has to have some D1 talent. You would think with a big city like Albuquerque, and a few other decent size cities, they would produce some studs. I'm not really sure though.

**Richard** · 03-27-2007, 11:17 AM

It looks like Iowa has received permission from Tennesee to contact Pearl. Rumors on Tennesee's rivals board is that he has been offered 1.8 mil per. That is a lot of scratch, especially b/c he has a 1 mil buyout.

**zumbro clones** · 03-27-2007, 11:21 AM

Just rumors from desperate folks.

**cmoore_23** · 03-27-2007, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by CrossCyed

If Iowa hired Pearl, I'd have to learn to dislike the guy, cause I do like him now.

I agree, i find myself cheering for Tenn when we are not playing, and when they are, he is a classy guy, and has a great sense of humor, if he went to iowa..that would suck alot...because i too would have to find a way not to like the guy

**BryceC** · 03-27-2007, 11:26 AM

http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/govols/a...445842,00.html

Looks like it's a moot point anyway.

**ekim121** · 03-27-2007, 11:28 AM

I think he's a proven winner, but idk if I think he's a great person/leader. I watched his portion of the press conference after Tenn lost to Ohio State and he wasn't exactly gracious in defeat.

**psycln11** · 03-27-2007, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by BryceC

http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/govols/a...445842,00.html

Looks like it's a moot point anyway.

What's the meltdown like over at Squawkeye.com??

**clone52** · 03-27-2007, 11:46 AM

OK, lets try to stir up a debate where there should be none. If I was a hawk fan and saw this, I would be laughing my butt off at how scared Iowa State fans are. We look so scared that we are trying to convince ourselves that Bruce Pearl isn't that good.

I think Pearl is a good coach and would be a great hire. One thing to remember, if they get back to the success Tom Davis had, that would be their new promised land. Expectations won't be that high and I think Pearl would have the potential to do better than Davis. It just seems he would relate to the players better than Dr. Tom could. I don't think he'll take the job though, but if he did, it would be a great pickup for Iowa and we can all act like idiots and try to convince ourselves that it isn't as good a hire as it looks.