It could be argued that the success Bruce Pearl had early at UT has had a direct effect on shortening the tenure of several SEC coaches. Since his arrival at UT, numerous SEC schools have hired new coaches to try and capture the same magic that Coach Pearl brought to Tennessee. Of those schools that have climbed aboard the coaching carrousel, none has tried harder to change their fortunes in the past few years than Kentucky.
First Tubby Smith had to find refuge in the land of the frozen lakes (Minnesota), and now Billy Gillispie is exiting to parts unknown with a ton of buyout cash to make room for the newest savior, John Calipari.
The SEC East in the past few years has seen new coaches at South Carolina, Georgia and now Kentucky.
Never mind the coaching changes in the SEC West which probably indirectly had something to do with Coach Pearl’s success at Tennessee.
A word of caution for John Calipari, the SEC is a bit tougher night after night than the conferences you have been in before. Still, one would have to believe that he will be able to continue his past successes at Kentucky. The SEC East has just gotten remarkably tougher with this newest hire and Georgia has yet to name their replacement. It should make for a very interesting next season as UT under Coach Pearl try to repeat at the top of the SEC East.
To help them in that quest, the Vols received a commitment this past week from Melvin Goins, a 5-11, 195 lb point guard from San Jacinto Community College in California. Goins decided to play for the Vols next season and will compete for the starting spot with Bobby Maze.
It shouldn’t matter which one starts; both will see substantial playing time in Pearl’s rotation. Vol fans can get their first look at this latest addition to the team this summer when he will participate in the Pilot League
Meanwhile, the news out of the football spring practices has been encouraging. Praises for senior signal caller Jonathan Crompton and the work ethic of the returning players has dominated the reports lately as the Vols get closer to the Orange- White scrimmage April 18th. If you haven’t heard, this year there will be a $5 admission fee to the stadium for the game. Look for a large crowd as curiosity to see the new staff, along with new offensive and defensive schemes will add to the usual turnout.
Even without "Rocky Top" to fill the stadium, the spring game should be a fun day for all Big Orange fans. Let’s just hope that the Vols can turn all the “hype” into wins on the field this fall and make last year’s debacle of a season a distant memory. Go Vols and Lady Vols!
Frank Gale is a Chronicle correspondent, and his column appears weekly.
Area Sports
ROCKY TOP BEAT: Pearl's success has effected SEC coaches' careers
- Area Sports
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Hook, line and sinker
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Cole signs with Bryan College
Another Stone Memorial basketball player will be calling Bryan College home for the 2012-'13 school year, as senior Brandon Cole signed scholarship players to play for the Lions and join his former Panther teammate Robert Troino at the Dayton school.
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Lady Jets softball team closes season with banquet
The Cumberland County High School Lady Jet softball team was honored with a banquet Tuesday night at Mitch's in Lake Tansi.
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Jet soccer team honored for great season
The Cumberland County High School Jet soccer team was recognized May 22 at their annual banquet, after finishing third in the district and posting a school-record 11 wins. The team finished with an 11-7-1 record, after losing 4-3 to Coffee County in the district tournament.
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Volleyball tryouts set
Tryouts for the 2012 Cumberland County High School Lady Jet volleyball team will be May 30-June 1 from noon to 2 p.m. in the CCHS gym.
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Taylor, Green co-champs of Tennessee Senior State Open
Professional Harry Taylor and amateur Danny Green were declared co-champions of the third annual Tennessee Senior State Open presented by the City of Crossville May 21-22 at Stonehenge Golf Club. The 36-hole tournament was shortened to 18, as the second round was canceled due to unplayable course conditions, according to the TPGA.
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Iles, teammates win AAU Div. I state title
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McNeely named CCHS wrestling coach
Cumberland County High School didn't have go far to find a wrestling coach for 2012-'13, as former assistant and Phoenix School teacher Wes McNeely will replace retiring coach James Brady.
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Nelson signs to play tennis at Cumberland
Stone Memorial senior tennis player Dylan Nelson recently signed to play tennis with Cumberland University in Lebanon.
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