Tennessee Coach Bruce Pearl Working Without A Contract During NCAA Investigation

According to WBIR-TV, Tennessee basketball head coach Bruce Pearl is working without a contract while the NCAA investigates his recruiting practices.

Pearl’s contract was terminated on Sept. 9, the day before he revealed to the public that he had provided incorrect information during an interview with NCAA investigators, Tennessee spokesman Jimmy Stanton said Thursday.

Tennessee officials presented Pearl with a new contract two weeks ago with a reduced salary, and attorneys are working to complete the deal. Pearl was to make $12.5 million over four seasons before athletics director Mike Hamilton reduced it by $1.5 million as part of his punishment for misleading the NCAA.

The main reason for the contract rip-up was language in it that stated that Pearl could be fired if he committed “acts of fraud.” Tennessee is currently under investigation due to excessive phone calls by their staff to recruits as well as Pearl’s misleading of investigators in regards to then-recruits Aaron Craft and Josh Selby.

Throw in the issue that Tennessee currently has no President and the situation gets even more muddled. If Pearl was found guilty of committing fraud, who would be there to fire him?

Keep an eye on Rocky Top Talk for updates and analysis.