Tenn Truth
Fansided

10 Most Regrettable Moments In Tennessee Vols History

By Zach Ragan

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 31: Head coach Derek Dooley of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with the leather helmet after their 35-21 over the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Georgia Dome on August 31, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 31: Head coach Derek Dooley of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with the leather helmet after their 35-21 over the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Georgia Dome on August 31, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 11
Next
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 13: Head coach Bruce Pearl of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts as he coaches against the Kentucky Wildcats during the semirfinals of the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Bridgestone Arena on March 13, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. Kentucky won 74-45. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 13: Head coach Bruce Pearl of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts as he coaches against the Kentucky Wildcats during the semirfinals of the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Bridgestone Arena on March 13, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. Kentucky won 74-45. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Bruce Pearl’s Cookout

Bruce Pearl was, and still is by most fans, a beloved Tennessee head coach.

The Vols’ basketball program thrived under Pearl, but it all came to a crashing halt thanks in part to a cookout at Pearl’s home.

There was more to Pearl’s firing than just a cookout that was attended by recruits, which was against NCAA rules. But that is certainly the focal point of Pearl’s dismissal from Tennessee.

I’m certain that if Pearl could go back in time and make a different decision about that day, that he would’ve. He also probably wouldn’t have lied about the photo of Aaron Craft at this house with his assistant coach’s wife.

The firing of Pearl, much like the firing of Fulmer just a few years earlier, was part of some very dark days in Tennessee athletics. The basketball program is still trying to recover from the loss of Pearl.

Home/Tennessee Volunteers