Bruce Pearl

College basketball coach Bruce Pearl serves as the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball team in the NCAA.

Deapite rumors that Pearl was taking over as head coach of the Memphis Tigers, replacing John Calipari, he signed a six-year contract extension with Tennessee on April 2, 2009.CBSSports.com: Vols, Pearl Reach Agreement on Six-year Extension

Pearl began his coaching career as a student assistant while attending Boston College from 1978 to 1982. After graduation, he accepted a coaching position with the Stanford Cardinal men's basketball team, serving as an assistant and associate coach for five seasons. After another seven seasons as an assistant with the Iowa Hawkeyes, Pearl accepted his first head coaching position in 1992 with the University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles.UTSports.com: Bruce Pearl

He saw success immediately at Southern Indiana, leading the team to the second round of the Division II NCAA Tournament in his first season. In 1993-1994, the Screaming Eagles lost the title game, but came back the following year to win the championship. He continued with Southern Indiana for six additional seasons, playing in the NCAA Tournament each year, including four appearances in the Sweet Sixteen.UTSports.com: Bruce Pearl

In 2001, Pearl became the head coach of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers. Over four seasons, he led the Panthers to two NCAA tournament appearances, plus one big to the National Invitation Tournament.UTSports.com: Bruce Pearl

On March 28, 2005, Pearl accepted the head coaching with the Tennessee Volunteers. In his first four seasons at Tennessee, the Volunteers played in the NCAA Tournament each year, reaching the Sweet Sixteen twice.UTSports.com: Bruce Pearl