The letter that was sent from Hamilton to Pearl regarding violations

[Unknøwn]

In a letter to Head Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl terminating his contract, University of Tennessee Athletic Director Mike Hamilton says Pearl knew he was breaking NCAA rules by hosting recruits at his home, and he asked the recruits and their families to keep quiet about it.   

Pearl, UT Athletic Director Mike Hamilton, and UT-Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek held a news conference September 10th to announce that Pearl's salary was being cut after he admitted lying to the NCAA during an ongoing investigation.  

Through Tennessee's Public Records Act, 10 News has a obtained a letter sent from Hamilton to Pearl the day before that announcement.  In it, Hamilton tells Pearl his contract will be terminated on October 8th.  

As reasons for the termination, the letter cites clauses in the contract involving "gross misconduct including dishonesty and other acts involving intolerable behavior," and requiring Pearl to abide by NCAA, Southeastern Conference, and University of Tennessee rules.

The letter then spells out Pearl's violations in detail.

"On September 20th, you knowingly violated NCAA rules by hosting, at your house during a team cookout, three prospective student-athletes making unofficial visits and their families," writes Hamilton.

"At your house, you admitted to the unofficial visitors and their families that their presence at your house was a violation of NCAA rules.  You also told the unofficial visitors and their families that you were not going to tell anyone about the NCAA rules violation, and you asked that they not tell anyone either."

Hamilton goes on to say that when NCAA investigators showed Pearl a photo of a recruit in Pearl's kitchen, the coach denied that it was taken at his home.   He later admitted that wasn't true.

According to the letter, Pearl also denied knowing the identity of a woman in the photograph, although he later admitted it was the wife of one of his assistant coaches. 

Hamilton also writes that during the investigation, Pearl called the father of one of the recruits involved to "remind" him that the coach had told the family the visit would be against NCAA rules, and that Pearl had given them family a choice whether to attend.

"At the very least," Hamilton writes, "your calls to the father created the appearance that you were trying to influence the father's statements to the NCAA."

The letter goes on to say all three of Pearl's assistant coaches were present at his home the night of the improper contact, and that Pearl met with those coaches before the NCAA conducted interviews with them.  

From October 10, 2007, to July 30, 2009, the University said Pearl "failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance."

During that time, 96 impermissable phone calls were made to recruits, 34 of them by Pearl.

UT Athletic Department spokesperson Jimmy Stanton confirms Pearl is now working under a letter of appointment, similar to that of any other University employee.  But, Stanton says the Athletic Department and Pearl are "in the process of finalizing a new contract."

Until a new contract is signed, Pearl could be fired or quit at any time.

In addition, his letter of termination of his old contract says the new contract will include specific language regarding NCAA violations.

"Furthermore," the letter reads, "it will provide that if you are found in violation of NCAA regulations, or if the University develops a good faith belief that you have engaged in additional NCAA violations not currently known to the University, you will be subject to disciplinary or corrective action as set forth in the provisions of the NCAA enforcement procedures, including, but not limited to, suspension without pay or termination of employment for significant or repetitive violations."

Pearl came to UT in 2005, and under his coaching, the Vols are the SEC's winningest program since the 2005-06 season.   The team had their first Elite Eight appearance in 2010

[Volunteer Falcon]

I like Bruce a lot, I've had the opportunity to meet him a few times and have a couple conversations with him. If he ends up staying he better get his act together. Committing a violation is one thing, lying about it is another. Yes everyone does it, but not everyone gets caught and unfortunately if he keeps this up he'll need to be let go.

[SacFalcFan]

To view the official letter:

A must read

[Mr Pickle1]

I like Bruce a lot, I've had the opportunity to meet him a few times and have a couple conversations with him. If he ends up staying he better get his act together. Committing a violation is one thing, lying about it is another. Yes everyone does it, but not everyone gets caught and unfortunately if he keeps this up he'll need to be let go.

Lol, come on man. Whether you like the guy or not, he should be gone. UT has zero integrity or moral standing after this. The fact that you want him to stay...dang. I don't see how he can retain any respect. His word is worthless, now. And that doesn't play very well here in the south.

[SacFalcFan]

I like Bruce a lot, I've had the opportunity to meet him a few times and have a couple conversations with him. If he ends up staying he better get his act together. Committing a violation is one thing, lying about it is another. Yes everyone does it, but not everyone gets caught and unfortunately if he keeps this up he'll need to be let go.

lying to the ncaa is bad enough (it was more than just lying on the phone calls which was what was reported originally), but lying about even knowing someone in a picture who is the wife of a coach on his own staff among his other lies to the ncaa. Telling families and recruits hey what i am doing it cheating just so you know so keep it secret and then calling parents after the fact to make sure they lie on his behalf shows he should not keep his job at tennessee.

Pearl has zero integrity and morality to be a leader of men especially at tennessee. Pearl should be fired period.

[Volunteer Falcon]

Depends on what else comes out. Right now he should be punished and not fired, my stance may change. Flame away.

[SacFalcFan]

Depends on what else comes out. Right now he should be punished and not fired, my stance may change. Flame away.

he should be fired due to his actions and what has already came out.

[Ronaldo77]

Depends on what else comes out. Right now he should be punished and not fired, my stance may change. Flame away.

Thats the attitude that got Tennessee where they are now with there athletic department in the first place...

[SacFalcFan]

Thats the attitude that got Tennessee where they are now with there athletic department in the first place...

yep it is.. the same exact attitude behind defending kiffin's indefensible acts. volunteer fans will never learn. it's the same thing over and over and over again.