Bruce Pearl on Jim Rome 1/26/2006

Rome: Asked about the Florida game.
Pearl: Responded that it was was of the best crowds in the history of Thompson Boling with 24,000+. Only Kentucky and Tennessee can make a claim like that. People told him that the big arena was a problem here but he had always been places where the arena was too small so he welcomed a size problem.

Rome: On the staus of the program.
Pearl: In Tennessee sometimes the highs are too high and the lows are too low. That's one reason there has been so much turnover at Tennessee. Buzz Peterson left the program in good shape. Added that the USC game may be another sellout.

Rome: Asked if Tennessee has exceeded expectations in his first year so far.
Pearl: He thought thought the Texas game really sent a message to our kids that the system works. Although he admitted that we caught Texas in a "Duke Hangover". He also said that our guys were tired of the long seasons of losing.

Rome: Asked Pearl if he would ever change his style (based on level of competition, etc).
Pearl: Gary Williams (A Tom Davis protege) told him that it's harder to recruit blue chip players and get them to play harder. Pearl likes to recruit kids with a chip on their shoulder that want to work hard. Some of the top guys in the country may not want to be in a situation like that. He is honest and up front and that turns some kids off. But he doesn't want a kid to have any surprises when they get here.

Rome: Asked about the transition from Boston to Tennessee
Pearl: Basketball consumes him and his staff. There is no real time to worry about it. He said that Knoxville is a great college town and a great family town. He loves the winter weather here. He likes it here and could see him staying a long time if he wins.

Rome: Mentioned the fact that some have had a problem that basketball plays third fiddle to football and women's baskeball at Tennessee.
Pearl: Pearl said this is not true and this really bothers Fulmer and Summitt. He said really we are more like 10th behind baseball, women's softball, etc. He said the basketball team needs to do their part and there is more than enough attention to go around.

Rome: Asked about Pearl's relationship with Pat Summitt.
Pearl: She is brilliant, has a lot of class, and is very generous with her time. He likes to pick her brain from time to time. He said that if nothing else good happens from him getting the Tennessee job that it was worth it to be able to be around Pat. Pearl also mentioned that Fulmer sat behind the bench at the Florida game this past weekend. Fulmer had a "calming effect" Pearl said and at one point during a tough point in the game Fulmer told him to "hang in there". Pearl also mentioned that Summitt, Candace Parker, and Fulmer were is biggest tools in recruiting this past season. He went on to add that he is just re-stoking the fire at Tennessee. Nobody has beaten Kentucky more than Tennessee has and the Vols are third in the SEC in championships.

Rome: Asked Pearl if he could see himself "laying down roots" in Knoxville.
Pearl: He hopes so. He thinks we can get to a final four here. He also said it's funny because as a coach when you win people are scared you are going to leave and when you lose they can't wait to pack your bags. Bottom line is that he said he could see himself here as long as he keeps winning.

Pearl: Added in closing that it's not how you start but rather how you finish. You can go from the penthouse to the outhouse very quickly. This team has done well considering they are undersized and were picked at the bottom of the SEC East.

Lastly, Pearl flaunted his Rome knowledge by saying his kids would love having the "karma" from the show and then went on and made a "jungle" reference.