In the hours leading up to a big game on the road against the #1 team in the country, most coaches would be going over the game plan a few hundred more times. They'd be reviewing every scouting report and designing plays for every possible contingency. Well, not Bruce Pearl. Instead, he went to a Vol fan gathering in Memphis to fire up the fans.
There's a line between cartoonish buffoonery and inspiring the fanbase. The line is a not nearly so fine when the coach is winning and bringing a level of excitement unseen to the fans in that sport.
Pearl started his speech fairly cautious about playing hard and giving everything. But at about the 2:03 mark, the emotions get the better of him and he announces that the Vols were "going to kick Memphis' ass."
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Bruce Pearl Firing Up the Vol Fans in Memphis
Posted Feb 27th 2008 3:33PM by Charles Rich
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-27-2008 @ 5:05PM
Troy (Gainesville, FL) said...
I haven't watched the video yet, but I doubt it's simply the emotions getting the better of him. Pearl knows how to pump up college kids, and he's done this before. In 2006, before Tennessee gave UF it's first loss of the season, Pearl told the students at a rally that they were going to "kick Florida's ass." College kids eat this kind of thing up, and Pearl knows that: it's part of what makes him so perfect for the college game.
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2-28-2008 @ 10:41AM
Broandbabs said...
What "class". I hope he enjoyed his 28 hours at #1. Go U of M.
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3-02-2008 @ 7:22PM
tatfrosty said...
Bruce needs to fiqure out real quick how weak the SEC has become if the UT mens program can win the regular season! I will be shocked if UT makes it as SEC end of season tournament Champs!
Lets see MEMPHIS #1 = 5 weeks
TENNESSEE # 1 = 28 Hours
Wake up Bruce/ YOU are THE COACH not the CHEERLEADER!
Enjoy you TV time while it lasts and by the way TAKE YOUR BACK SEAT TO MRS PAT SUMMIT and the WOMENS program
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