Did Dez, on his own will, go back to the NCAA and confess? I am hoping, not certain, that that will act as a mitigating factor when they're considering the punishment.
It doesn't appear so, as he categorically denied all inquiries as to his relationship with Sanders until the announced punishment. Only later did he attempt to come clean with investigators, ostensibly, in hopes of mitigating the damage of his earlier denials.
While some will choose to believe that BP's situation is completely different - insofar as he came forth and admitted having previously lied - it's actually not.
Like Dez, Pearl didn't come clean as a matter of conscience, but rather, only came forward after learning that those others whom he attempted to coerce into corroborating his lies had failed to do so.
Essentially, both only confessed once they knew that they were caught - the only difference being that Dez waited for the official sanctions to be announced - and Pearl (having seen the writing on the wall) did not.
From the article, I believe that there are some important - albeit cryptically presented - points to greatly heed (when thinking about BP's punishment):
Tennessee has docked Pearl's pay and banned him from recruiting off campus for a year, and the SEC has suspended Pearl for eight league games despite the fact that the school still hasn't received a notice of allegations from the NCAA. A notice of allegations is expected to arrive no later than January. Among other things, Emmert made it clear in a back-and-forth hypothetical about possible punishments that the NCAA's Committee on Infractions could suspend a coach (in this case, Pearl) from coaching over and above what any league (in this case, the SEC) might do. Furthermore, Emmert did not dispute the notion that a suspension from coaching in the NCAA tournament even if the coach's team is allowed to participate could serve as a form of punishment for coaches who violate rules.
"That would be a really interesting outcome," Emmert said.
If I am not mistaken, none of the recruits who were involved in the now infamous BBQ eventually signed with Tennessee, meaning, the "team" itself was neither directly involved in the transgressions (that was BP, alone), nor have they in any way benefitted from it (as those players are elsewhere). While the team can (and typically is) punished for the transgressions of a single player / coach / booster.....a strong case could be made for an exception here, as each of the two major violations (e.g. the BBQ, subsequent lies) are uniquely, singularly and self-admittedly (thanks to BP's confession, albeit tear-stained) on Pearl's shoulders, alone.
Perhaps I am misguided in my belief that the 'AA isn't as inept and bungling as many believe them to be. However, I believe that they will not only attempt to provide a suitable punishment for the violation which occurred, but also, one which is most appropriately placed upon the greatest source of the original offense, and which reduces the damage caused to those uninvolved and / or innocent others, wherever possible or practicable.
While I don't believe that it will be the only punishment imposed (I think that you will see some scholarship reductions, too, and possibly more restrictions on recruiting as well), I do believe that suspending Pearl from coaching in one (or two) 'AA tourneys would fit these objectives quite nicely, and Emmert's comments suggest the same.
And don't for a second believe that the 'AA won't enjoy (finally) being able to put to rest the whole, "It's always the team / program / players / fans who are punished - and not the coach who did it" allegation to rest, once and for all, either. They will undoubtedly relish it.
While careful not to say too much, at the very least - he tipped his hand.
