ForumsTennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl has been suspended for the first eight league games this season by SEC Commissioner Mike Slive.
The suspension serves as punishment by the conference for admitted NCAA violations. Pearl illegally hosted recruits at his home and subsequently lied to investigators about it.
“The suspension from coaching duties has been imposed after a careful review of the facts established during the NCAA’s investigation and reported to the SEC office,” said Slive. “I am extremely disappointed in the nature of the violations involving Coach Pearl and the Tennessee men’s basketball program.”
“The penalty applied to this circumstance is significant, which is consistent with the directive approved by the SEC membership in 2010 granting the Commissioner authority to act in such cases.”
Pearl will be prohibited from participating with the team on game days, including: practices, pre- and post-game meetings and any activities related to games between Jan. 8 and Feb. 5.
Tennessee had already reduced Pearl’s pay over the next five years and limited his recruiting efforts to on-campus for a year.
Associate head coach Tony Jones is expected to lead the team in Pearl’s absence.
The suspension will include the following games:
Jan. 8, 2011 Tennessee at Arkansas
Jan. 11, 2011 Florida at Tennessee
Jan. 15, 2011 Vanderbilt at Tennessee
Jan. 18, 2011 Tennessee at Georgia
Jan. 26, 2011 LSU at Tennessee
Jan. 29, 2011 Tennessee at Ole Miss
Feb. 3, 2011 Tennessee at Auburn
Feb. 5, 2011 Alabama at Tennessee
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