Pearls Are Always Appropriate... Especially In Coleman Coliseum

In 222 days, Coach Bruce Pearl officially becomes hireable again.  And University of Alabama Athletic Director, Bill Battle, should have that date circled in crimson.  Scratch that. He should be petitioning the NCAA to lift Pearl's show-cause as soon as basketball season is over because he will have officially missed 3 seasons.  Why?  Because hiring Bruce Pearl is exactly what our basketball program needs to reach the greatness that Grant promised.... But sure as heck never delivered.  And if Bama doesn't make a run for Bruce Pearl, I can guarantee there will be no shortage of universities that will.

This type of situation is the best shot that a program like Alabama has to lure in a coach of Pearl's caliber.  And what type of program is he looking for?  He was asked just that back in August of last year. Pearl answered, "It's going to need to be somebody that has the vision that Tennessee had.  They had a vision to try to get its men's basketball program to the level of its football program and where Pat Summitt had the women's basketball program. That was Tennessee's vision. They said, 'We're winning in everything else. We want to do it in men's basketball, too.' So that would be the job I'd want -- a job where somebody has that vision. It would almost need to be a school that's won a national championship in football".  Hey Bruce, we have 15.  We'd also like to not completely suck in hoops anymore, either.  This could be a match made in crimson-colored heaven, y'all!

Pearl was hired into a situation at UT very similar to ours.  He took the depleted roster Buzz Peterson left behind & got them to the big dance as a 2 seed in his first year on the job.  During his 6 years at Rocky Top, his team played in the NCAA Tournament every year with 2 sweet sixteen appearances & 1 in the elite eight.  In 2010, he was a single point away from leading his team to the final four.  Just imagine... A life without the NIT would be a glorious life, indeed!

Furthermore, Pearl's animated personality could energize a fanbase that has been indifferent to Bama Hoops for as long as I can remember.  He revels in the spotlight & would undoubtedly bring attention to the program...  Something Anthony Grant has never been capable of.  Heck, I'd buy season tickets just to see that man's theatrics alone!

 

 But what about his NCAA troubles?  Should Alabama roll the dice & hire someone with a past as checkered as UT's end zones?  HELL TO THE YES, they should!!!    Pearl has been very candid in numerous interviews since given the sanctions.  He went into the NCAA interview thinking they would ask about various secondary violations like phone calls, etc.  Instead, they asked him about hosting recruits at a barbecue at his home 2 years earlier.  So he did what most of us have done at least once. He panicked & he lied.  Had he just been honest, he would never have been slapped with a show-cause and he would definitely never have been fired.  He has served his time & there's no question that he's also learned a valuable lesson.  Plus, I feel like hiring Kiffin has really negated all that sanctimonious garbage anyways.

The Alabama Basketball Program deserves better than Grant. This team is ranked 2nd in most wins in SEC history.  They have 6 SEC tournament titles & 8 sweet sixteen appearances.  Pearl has what it takes to get this program back to greatness.  And if you still aren't sold on hiring Bruce Pearl yet, just think of all the UT fans' heads that will absolutely explode if Pearl becomes our next coach.  And what Bama fan wouldn't love for that to happen?

Thanks for stopping by, y'all!!!  Roll Tide!!!  Roll Pearl!!!