Bruce Pearl - Auburn B-ball Coach to Retire

[BigJay]

I'm scratching my head trying to name a son who took over for their father was was hugely successful (like their father was).

The only ones I can come up with are old...
John Thompson (G-town)
Tony Bennett (Virginia)


The "successfully-took-over a program" scenario doesn't happen often.

Bobby Knight’s son took over at Texas Tech but was let go after three seasons and a 50-61 record

 

[Jrgum3]

ILLINI fans hate him , always have, always will.

Illini fans despise Bruce Pearl due to a major recruiting scandal in the late 1980s that harmed their basketball program. As an Iowa assistant, Pearl secretly recorded a phone call with high school prospect Deon Thomas, then committed to Illinois, to get evidence of alleged illegal offers.
The key events that led to the animosity were:

• A taped conversation: In 1988, while recruiting Chicago high school star Deon Thomas, Pearl secretly recorded a conversation in which Thomas seemed to admit that Illinois assistant coach Jimmy Collins had offered him cash and a car. Thomas later claimed he only said "yeah, somewhat" to get Pearl off the phone after repeated calls.
• The NCAA investigation: Pearl turned the tape over to the NCAA, triggering a years-long investigation into Illinois basketball.
• Punishment without proof: The NCAA ultimately dismissed Pearl's main allegations regarding Thomas's recruitment, stating the evidence was not "credible". However, the investigation uncovered other minor violations, and the NCAA punished Illinois for "lack of institutional control," imposing a one-year postseason ban.
• Reputation damage: The scandal derailed Illinois's momentum after the "Flyin' Illini" had reached the Final Four in 1989. It also tarnished the reputation of assistant coach Jimmy Collins, who had been a key recruiter and mentor for players from Chicago.
• Lingering resentment: Illini fans saw Pearl's actions as a disingenuous attempt to sabotage a rival after failing to land a recruit. Deon Thomas, who became the school's all-time leading scorer, refused to forgive Pearl for many years, famously stating, "It's hard to forgive a snake".

Decades later, the feud's embers still glow for many Illini fans, especially given Pearl's later career successes despite admitting to lying to the NCAA in a separate scandal at Tennessee.

I didn't want to say all that but generally speaking people I know hate Bruce Pearl unless they're a fan of the teams he's coaching because he pushes the envelope in order to win which usually involves cheating and getting his teams in hot water. It's happened everywhere he's been but it's also why his teams were able to win at a high level because he was willing to do whatever it took to get the best players and that's usually how you win in college athletics.

 

[flyingillini]

I didn't want to say all that but generally speaking people I know hate Bruce Pearl unless they're a fan of the teams he's coaching because he pushes the envelope in order to win which usually involves cheating and getting his teams in hot water. It's happened everywhere he's been but it's also why his teams were able to win at a high level because he was willing to do whatever it took to get the best players and that's usually how you win in college athletics.

There is a long history with him and the ILLINI, there is pure hatred towards him from all of us.

 

[Tanko]

There is a long history with him and the ILLINI, there is pure hatred towards him from all of us.

Fly, you know the bible says to forgive.

 

[Jrgum3]

Fly, you know the bible says to forgive.

Tanko Fly speaks the truth Bruce Pearl is no saint. He's a winner but he cheated his ass off in recruiting back when it was more prevalent in college hoops. He's a terrific coach but his ethics are not good and he doesn't care what anyone what thinks because his job was to win and he did that by any means necessary.

 

[flyingillini]

Fly, you know the bible says to forgive.

It depends how you perceive the bible and who your mentor is. Don't let me take you to school here, Tankster.

 

[jjgold]

Auburn will decline now

 

[Tanko]

Auburn will decline now

Most likely.
I wonder how many players will hit the portal with the change in coach?