Today, it was reported that former Tennessee Vols basketball coach Bruce Pearl would be handed a 3-year ’show-cause’ penalty from the NCAA.  One of the harshest penalties the NCAA can levy against a (former) head coach.

The University, according to the report, wouldn’t be penalized any further.

The report if true will bring a bit of closure for the University of Tennessee Athletic Department after one of the most hectic and dramatic years in the history of college sports.

Last summer it became public that Pearl had lied to the NCAA about a photo of current Ohio State guard (who was a high school junior at the time) Aaron Craft.  Pearl said he didn’t know where the photo was taken.  The photo was in fact taken in his own house at a Bar-B-Q he was hosting for players and recruits.

The Vols reprimanded Pearl by banning him from recruiting off campus for a year (Sep 24, 2010 – Sep 23, 2011) and docked him $1.5 million in pay on September 10, 2010.

The SEC suspended Pearl for 8 SEC Conference games on November 18, 2010.

The University fired Pearl after the past NCAA basketball season on March 21, 2011.

Tennessee hires Cuonzo Martin as the new head coach just 6 days after firing Pearl on March 27, 2011.

Vols Athletic Director Mike Hamilton was fired/resigned on June 7, 2011.

(And this was all after the Lane Kiffen departure drama in Knoxville.)

I normally wouldn’t post a prediction or personal email but when a pompous friend attempts to call me out on Twitter for not tweeting anything about his Vols not getting additional penalities from the NCAA it made me do some research.   Because I seemed to remember laying it all out for him several months ago as to what I thought would happen regarding Pearl.

Here is the email I sent back on September 17, 2010 to Matt Williams when a lot of the violations Pearl committed became known by the public.

From: Holmes, Joshua
Date: Fri, Sep 17, 2010 at 11:30 AM
Subject: Re: sure you have seen this by now
To: “Williams, Matt”

Hamilton might should be fired for that Pearl contract by itself. A lot of protection for Pearl in that.

Wolken said last night he wouldn’t be surprised if Pearl was suspended for the year.

Here is what I think quickly: The NCAA will hit UT or Pearl rather hard.

I think, almost either way, and there will be some penalty…but big or small Pearl is gone. Remember if they fire Pearl and hire a new coach that the new coach has no recruiting restrictions unless the NCAA hammers that. But Pearl’s recruiting restrictions by the University wouldn’t apply to a new coach. I think UT is hoping Pearl can secure a good class in the next two weeks. Otherwise I think it would have been smart go go ahead and bite the bullet and start the restrictions immediately. It would have looked a lot better to the NCAA as well. I think UT hopes Pearl has a haul of a class, the NCAA then if they strike UT or Pearl almost in any way, then they will fire Pearl and hire a new coach that could recruit without limit. And it would be easier to get a good coach because of where Pearl has put the program, barring any major NCAA sanctions. I think Pearl should be the one penalized hard by the NCAA not UT.

Remember all we lost at Memphis just because the NCAA ‘believed’ but hat no proof that Derrick Rose didn’t take his ACT. Rose was cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Memphis played him, then after the season they got hit. Totally different scenario, but like I mentioned before, the NCAA and Congress don’t take lying lightly.

Just my opinion.

So to sum it up:

1. “Hamilton might should be fired for that Pearl contract by itself.” – Hamilton resigned/fired on June 7, 2011
2. “I think, almost either way, and there will be some penalty…but big or small Pearl is gone.” – Pearl fired on March 21, 2011
3. “Remember if they fire Pearl and hire a new coach that the new coach has no recruiting restrictions unless the NCAA hammers that.” – Vols hire Cuonzo Martin on March 27, 2011 (just 6 days after firing Pearl). No recruiting restrictions on Martin as the off-campus recruiting ban only applied to Pearl.
4. “I think Pearl should be the one penalized hard by the NCAA not UT.” – NCAA gives Pearl 3-year ’show-cause’ penalty on August 23, 2011

Moral of the Pearl story? The coverup is always worse than the crime. There are three people you don’t lie to: 1. God, 2. Congress/IRS and 3. the NCAA.

And be careful who you try to clown on Twitter!

ESPN’s Andy Katz is reporting that the NCAA will announce on Wednesday that former Tennessee Vols men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl will be handed a 3-year ‘Show Cause’ ban for NCAA violations that took place while Pearl was at the University.

A show-cause penalty means a school wanting to hire a coach serving that penalty must appear before the NCAA committee on infractions to explain why it wants to do so.

If the school chooses to go ahead with the hire, it would have to agree to any possible additional penalties the committee might want to levy.

Traditionally, schools have stayed away from a coach on a show-cause penalty. But the NCAA has no jurisdiction to force a member school to hire or fire a coach.

Pearl’s former assistant coaches at UT Tony Jones, Jason Shay, and Steve Forbes will each receive 1-year show-cause bans.

Back in February the NCAA hit Pearl with’Unethical Conduct’ and ‘Failure to Promote an Atmosphere of Compliance.’

Pearl is still weighing his options as to what he will do next. He is weighing an offer to coach the NBA D-League’s Texas Legends.

My Prediction from Sep. 2010 On What Would Happen to Bruce Pearl

It has been confirmed that University of Tennessee Vols Athletic Director Mike Hamilton is resigning this morning after an extremely rough last couple of years for the Vols’ athletic programs.

UT President Joe DiPietro sent an email this morning to the Board of Trustees informing them of the resignation.

“He’s an outstanding guy who’s done a lot of good things for the university, so obviously we’re going to work hard to find somebody to replace him,” Murphy said.

The school was rocked by then football coach Lane Kiffin leaving after just one season to go coach the USC Trojans.  Kiffin racked up several minor NCAA violations during his brief tenure.

Basketball coach Bruce Pearl then landed the school in hot water after lying to the NCAA about having recruits over at his house for a bar-b-q.  Pearl was fired earlier this year after the NCAA tournament.

Hamilton stood by Pearl, perhaps too long, and in the end it likely cost him his job along with the accrued damage done from all of the drama in the athletic department that even included the baseball team.

The school must have been alerted that the NCAA plans to hammer them pretty hard later this week from the Pearl fiasco.

Hamilton did a great job raising money and getting athletic facilities built while he was the athletic director at the school.

The Tennessee Vols wasted no time in replacing fired head basketball coach Bruce Pearl.  The Vols have announced Missouri State coach Cuonzo Martin as the next coach to lead the program.

The men’s program is likely to face probation and sanctions from Pearl’s malfeasance with NCAA investigators.  Pearl lied to investigators about a photo that was taken at a cookout at his house where recruits illegally attended.

Martin played his college basketball at Purdue where he was a star. He also played briefly in the NBA and overseas as well. It won’t be easy for Martin replacing Pearl.

Pearl was beloved by UT fans and despite his troubles nearly 90% of Vols fans wanted the University to retain him. Martin’s job won’t be easy due to how popular Pearl was with UT fans and the high level of success he had in his six seasons in Knoxville.

Cuonzo led the Missouri State to a 26-9 record this season and a first round exit in the NIT tournament.  Missouri State plays in the MVC.  His overall coaching record at Missouri State is 61-41 with a 26-28 record in MVC conference play.

Here are a few of the many instant Twitter reactions for sports media figures, athletes, and fans alike in response to the Tennessee Vols firing Bruce Pearl as their head men’s basketball coach on Monday.

Erik Ainge - @ErikAinge3: for the second time in my life im ashamed of my own university, I know the big time boosters and I hope they stop donating

Wes Rucker - @wesrucker247: Even though this isn’t a surprise, many people are too emotional to talk at the moment. Bruce Pearl meant a lot to many people here.

Adam Zagoria – @adamzagoria: Tobias and Tyler Harris both without a coach; Tobias to test NBA Draft waters http://tinyurl.com/6carhpb

Dan Wetzel - @DanWetzel: Only two things end a coaching career — losing and death. Pearl will be back

Pam Chvotkin – @reddusfoximus: Thank you, Bruce Pearl & UT Athletics for allowing me the chance to work in sports, where I might never have gotten to do from anyone else.

Dan Wolken – @danwolken: Here’s the truth about Pearl. Money, fame and success changed him for the worse. Not the same guy today that he was at Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Every Day Should Be Saturday – @edsbs: Easy answer to Tennessee’s problems:#PATSUMMITCOACHESEVERYTHING

Eric Berry – @berry1429: Wherever Bruce ends up imma still b #teampearl

Michael Low Jr. – @_DiabLow: We owe Bruce a lot. But the bottom line is he continually broke the rules. Hate to see him go, hope a Smart hire is made…

Blake Cox – @Blake_Cox1236 : Students have painted the rock “we are bruce. Fire hamilton”

Ran Fin – @ranfin12: Can Erik Ainge really be ashamed of ANYTHING when he was suspended for steroids??? GTFOH Ainge…

Gary Parrish – @garyparrishcbs: Aaron Craft on Bruce Pearl to CBSSports.com: “My heart goes out to him. … He was a good guy to me.” Blog: http://bit.ly/ijl9w2

It has been an extremely hectic couple of years not only for the University of Tennessee Vols men’s basketball program but for the UT Athletic Department as a whole since the Lane Kiffin hiring debacle.

Head basketball coach Bruce Pearl and the Vols have been in trouble since Pearl entertained high school juniors at his house two years ago and then lied to NCAA investigators about a photo taken at his house during the Bar-B-Que.  Pearl told the investigators he had no clue where the photo was taken.  The photo was taken in his house.

Pearl called the NCAA a few days later to let them know that he had lied and misled them.

Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton stood behind Pearl the entire time and all intentions throughout were that Pearl would be retained for the 2011-12 basketball season.

Pearl was suspended for 8 SEC games during the 2010/11 season. Many thought that would be the only punishment to come to Pearl and a sign that the University would keep him.

However, reports are clearly stating today that Pearl has been fired as the head basketball coach of the Tennessee Volunteers.

In his six seasons at UT, the Vols men’s program experienced success on a level it never had before.  Pearl led the Vols to a #1 ranking a couple of years ago and multiple NCAA appearances.

The Vols and Hamilton really muffed the handling of Pearl’s future from the start.  They should have either fired him back in September and started the process moving forward or decided to keep him come hell or high water.  Instead, Hamilton tried to straddle the fence and it will likely hurt the UT men’s basketball program for a long time to come.

However, Hamilton docked Pearl $1.5 million in salary over the course of his contract and banned him from off-campus recruiting visits for 1 year.

The toughest part is that Pearl has about a 90% approval rating among Vol fans.  His successor will struggle to leave up to Pearl’s personality or the level of success he had in Knoxville.

Pearl’s problems and the handling of them by Hamilton seemed to play a number on the team as the season progressed. The Vols started off 7-0 and were ranked #7 before the wheels fell off. The team still managed to make the NCAA tournament, but they were blown out by 30 points in the opening round by the Michigan Wolverines.

Let’s not forget that the NCAA has not decided how severely or in what ways they will punish the program.  That ruling will come in June.

RELATED: TWITTERVERSE RESPONDS TO BRUCE PEARL FIRING

Bruce Pearl has not officially been fired as head basketball coach at Tennessee, but that’s a pretty good way to bet.  His job appears to be secure for the duration of the Vols’ tenure in this years NCAA Tournament, but that’s about as far as Tennessee officials are willing to go.  The Associated Press reports:

Tennessee athletics director Mike Hamilton says he does not know if Bruce Pearl will be the Volunteers’ coach after this season ends.In an interview with WNML-AM in Knoxville that aired Wednesday, Hamilton said that he, the UT-Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek and school trustees will evaluate Pearl after the season ends. The ninth-seeded Vols play eighth-seeded Michigan on Friday in the NCAA tournament.

Pearl has been working without a contract since revealing in September that he mislead NCAA investigators during a probe into recruiting. The NCAA charged him with unethical conduct and other violations, though the NCAA has not released a final ruling on the matter.

The NCAA has delivered it’s letter of finding to the Tennessee Vols regarding possible NCAA violations by the men’s basketball program.

According to Fox Sports Jeff Goodman, the NCAA will allege Vols head coach basketball coach Bruce Pearl of ‘Unethical Conduct’ along with ‘Failure to Promote an Atmosphere of Compliance (with the NCAA).’

The letter will also address Coach Pearl lying to NCAA investigators about a Bar-B-Que that took place at his house that recruits were illegally attending. Excessive phone calls and texts to recruits will also be addressed in the letter.

Violiations by the Tennessee football team under former coach Lane Kiffin will also be addressed in the letter.

The University is expected to hold a press conference tomorrow where Athletic Director Mike Hamilton discuss what the letter contains, as well as what it means for the school.

Tennessee Vols head (men’s) basketball coach Bruce Pearl has been reprimanded and sanctioned by the University of Tennessee for lying and misleading NCAA investigators.

Pearl was extremely emotional at the press conference the Vols held Friday afternoon.

“I apologize from the bottom of my heart that I let everyone down,” an emotional Pearl said at a press conference, called by UT after the school announced it had received a letter of inquiry from the NCAA. “I let my family down, the university down, our fans down, and I let my players down.

“I have a responsibility to lead by example,and I expect more from myself, and so should you.”

Pearl, whose contract ends on June 30, 2015, will be docked $1.5 million over the remainder of it.  A $500,000 retention bonus will be postponed three years until June 30, 2015.  He also can’t make off-campus recruiting visits for one year starting on September 24, 2010.

Pearl’s assistant coaches, Tony Jones, Steve Forbes, and Jason Shay, also had their salary docked 25% and their recruiting powers suspended or limited.

Bruce is infamously known within the head coaching ranks as the coach who ratted out Illinois for paying Deon Thomas to commit to play for them. Pearl, then an assistant coach at Iowa, called Thomas, recorded the conversation, while asking Thomas if Illinois offered him cash and a SUV (by assistant Jimmy Collins) to play there. Thomas confirmed they did.  Pearl then turned the tapes over to the NCAA who opened an investigation of the Illini.  Thomas denied the charges and was exonerated, but the investigation uncovered other misdeeds and led to the school being placed on probation and the coaches being fired.

Many college insiders believed Pearl would never coach at a high college level for his role in the incident.

In a second dose of irony, Sporting News #1 high school recruit Adonis Thomas out of Memphis, was making his official recruiting trip to Knoxville this weekend.

At an event to benefit many local charities, Tennessee head Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl made an off-script joke about the challenges he faces getting so many diverse players to play as a team.

“I’ve got a tough job. I’ve got to put these guys from different worlds together, right?” Pearl said. “I’ve got guys from Chicago, Detroit … I’m talking about the ‘hood! And I’ve got guys from Grainger County, where they wear the hood.”

Pearl apologized, calling the joke “inappropriate.”

“Unfortunately while I was trying to excite the crowd and encourage employees to give, I made an inappropriate joke. I certainly did not intend to offend anyone and I apologize to everyone, especially the people of Grainger County.

“In no way am I trying to justify what I said, but I’m disappointed that the focus has been placed on me rather than the charities I was there to help. My only hope is that the visibility of this mistake will encourage those who can to give to those in need during these difficult times.”

Race issues are highly sensitive enough with politicians throwing the “R” word almost daily. Pearl seems to be a very likeable guy and it seems he was genuinely trying to be funny. Hope everybody will accept this apology and move on.