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The Big Orange Gun
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According to thid article Lofton is staying at UT.
March 28, 2005
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- New UT basketball coach Bruce Pearl says he thinks he can do something six coaches in 15 years have tried to do, but for one reason or another, have failed to do -- win basketball games and fill Thompson-Boling Arena.
Two weeks ago, Buzz Peterson says he was fired in part because fan support had fallen off at UT. On some nights, less than 5,000 fans were watching in an arena that can seat 24,000.
Pearl knows putting fans back in the seats is a top concern.
"If there's one thing I can point to about this great university and great athletic program is longevity and the success of its great coaches," Pearl said Monday. "That's what I'm here to try to do. That's what's required in men's basketball now. It's time for us to hold up our end."
Two weeks ago, Peterson told 6 Sports about a bizarre plan to save his job at UT. He says concession sales were down and he was asked to take a pay cut. Peterson added he declined the offer and then was fired.
Pearl's biggest immediate challenge won't be winning games. It will be winning the loyalty of current Tennessee players.
Basketball's elite coaches all agree on one thing -- coaches, fans, and administrators don't win basketball games. The players do.
But that can only happen when those players believe in their coach and buy into the system. It appears Pearl has already made a good start.
"He's committed and dedicated to getting us back on the right track," said freshman Chris Lofton. "And we are too. We want to win."
"You've just got to believe in what he says and go hard for him because we can win," agreed Andre Patterson. "We can win with this system and he's a winner, so you've got to listen to him."
"If they did well here under Buzz, they're going to want to continue doing well under me," said Pearl about his new team. "And if they didn't do so well, I have no preconceived notions. It's time for them to show me what they can do."
There's news that should make Pearl's first year challenge a whole lot easier. Lofton says people should forget any transfer rumors they may have heard. He's sticking with Tennessee.
"Right now, I want to be a Vol," Lofton said. "What I decided is the best thing is just to stay here because sitting out a year probably would hurt me."
Peterson was a so-called players coach, but those close relationships never translated into enough wins on the court. Now Pearl needs to find the right mix of tenderness and toughness to turn the program around.
WATE
Gunner
:gun:
March 28, 2005
KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- New UT basketball coach Bruce Pearl says he thinks he can do something six coaches in 15 years have tried to do, but for one reason or another, have failed to do -- win basketball games and fill Thompson-Boling Arena.
Two weeks ago, Buzz Peterson says he was fired in part because fan support had fallen off at UT. On some nights, less than 5,000 fans were watching in an arena that can seat 24,000.
Pearl knows putting fans back in the seats is a top concern.
"If there's one thing I can point to about this great university and great athletic program is longevity and the success of its great coaches," Pearl said Monday. "That's what I'm here to try to do. That's what's required in men's basketball now. It's time for us to hold up our end."
Two weeks ago, Peterson told 6 Sports about a bizarre plan to save his job at UT. He says concession sales were down and he was asked to take a pay cut. Peterson added he declined the offer and then was fired.
Pearl's biggest immediate challenge won't be winning games. It will be winning the loyalty of current Tennessee players.
Basketball's elite coaches all agree on one thing -- coaches, fans, and administrators don't win basketball games. The players do.
But that can only happen when those players believe in their coach and buy into the system. It appears Pearl has already made a good start.
"He's committed and dedicated to getting us back on the right track," said freshman Chris Lofton. "And we are too. We want to win."
"You've just got to believe in what he says and go hard for him because we can win," agreed Andre Patterson. "We can win with this system and he's a winner, so you've got to listen to him."
"If they did well here under Buzz, they're going to want to continue doing well under me," said Pearl about his new team. "And if they didn't do so well, I have no preconceived notions. It's time for them to show me what they can do."
There's news that should make Pearl's first year challenge a whole lot easier. Lofton says people should forget any transfer rumors they may have heard. He's sticking with Tennessee.
"Right now, I want to be a Vol," Lofton said. "What I decided is the best thing is just to stay here because sitting out a year probably would hurt me."
Peterson was a so-called players coach, but those close relationships never translated into enough wins on the court. Now Pearl needs to find the right mix of tenderness and toughness to turn the program around.
WATE
Gunner
:gun:
