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| Published March 30, 2005 at 5:18 a.m. |
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As the University of Tennessee searched for a new men's basketball coach at season's end, they found a willing candidate in Bruce Pearl, now the former University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's basketball coach.
Sad but true, UWM tried, but couldn't match the impressive offer given by the University of Tennessee of around $800,000 per year, with an Adidas contract and television shows to boost it up to around $1 million per year. UWM paid Pearl $275,000 per year for his coaching services.
Even though Pearl will be raking in the cash in Knoxville, we thought we'd compare his new hometown with his old to see what he could be gaining ... or losing in the process.
Location, Location, Location
Milwaukee is near Lake Michigan, providing excellent outdoor opportunities and recreation, as well as beautiful scenery year-'round.
Seven lakes surround Knoxville, none of them great. The Smoky Mountains get old quick. The city may not even know all the names of the Great Lakes.
Possession arrow: Milwaukee
Music Scene
Pearl might be singing the blues after going to coach at Tennessee, but he should be singing country since many Knoxville natives are testing their voices for the Grand Ole Opry in the capital of Nashville. Credit goes to Knoxville native Kenny Chesney though.
Milwaukee has Summerfest and a large variety of musicians every year, which seems to only get better with time. And, Chesney comes here often.
Possession arrow: Milwaukee
Famous Faces
Actors such as Brad Renfro, John Cullum of "Northern Exposure," and Johnny Knoxville all hail from Knoxville.
Milwaukee has Heather Graham.
Possession arrow: Milwaukee
Attractions
A 13-foot bronze statue of Alex Haley is in Knoxville, along with 20 museums and seven historical homes.
Milwaukee has the Milwaukee Art Museum, obviously, and constantly opens new museums and galleries, the most recent being a gay arts center. And Milwaukee's growing number of Irish dance academies could jig around Knoxville's line-dancers any day.
Possession arrow: Milwaukee
Mayor
Mayor Bill Haslam: an excellent man by all accounts, but nowhere in his biography does Haslam speak about school spirit.
Mayor Tom Barrett: went to UWM's tournament games, realized the power of the younger voters by campaigning more than any candidate at the university level, openly shows school spirit, comes off as an everyday guy, not playing up to the title of mayor.
Possession arrow: Milwaukee
Population
Knoxville: 117,661 (most recent figures from www.ci.knoxville.tn.us)
Milwaukee: 596,974 (2000 figures from milwaukee.areaconnect.com)
Possession arrow: Milwaukee
Weather
Possession arrow: Knoxville, of course
League of Their Own
Tennessee is in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) for basketball. This conference includes Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, LSU, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Vanderbilt for starters. Tennessee went 14-17 on the season. Good luck winning against extremely talented tournament-quality teams.
UWM is in the Horizon League for basketball. This conference includes UW-Green Bay, Detroit, University of Illinois-Chicago and Loyola for starters. UWM went 26-6 on the season and 14-2 in the conference. UWM is also returning four of five starters next season.
Possession arrow: Milwaukee
A Tough Summitt to Reach
Recently Pat Summitt, women's basketball coach at the University of Tennessee, won her 880th career game, putting her above every NCAA coach of all-time in career victories. Now, Pearl may be skilled, but the shadow from that woman is definitely a long one. At a school renowned for its women's basketball program, Pearl might wish for some of that old Milwaukee's Best.
Possession arrow: Milwaukee
When it comes down to the final seconds, you might want to put your money on a Panther rather than a Volunteer. It sounds like a safe bet. Yet, Pearl (as most coaches) would leaves a city for the paycheck. Good luck, Coach, but don't say we didn't warn you -- you'll miss Milwaukee.
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10 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by OMCreader on March 13, 2006 at 9:46 a.m. (report)
Biff (TN) said: UW-Milwaukee = #11 Seed; Tennessee = #2 Seed; Possession Arrow: Knoxville! Looks like Coach Pearl has brought UT into "A League of Their Own!"
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Posted by OMCreader on March 10, 2006 at 11:59 a.m. (report)
Biff (TN) said: Coach Pearl speaks again ... In a radio interview, Coach Pearl talked about how honored and humbled he was to visit with the Tennessee Legislature. During the course of the interview he talked about being at Boston College, the University of Iowa and "other places." Looks like Coach Pearl rates Milwaukee as "just another place." Possession arrow --> Knoxville!
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Posted by OMCreader on March 9, 2006 at 2:15 p.m. (report)
Biff (TN) said: Coach Pearl answers ... "The University of Tennessee has so much to offer -- from great academic programs to incredible athletic resources to the most passionate fans in the country. I look forward to being the men's basketball coach at Tennessee for many more years," Pearl said. Here is the complete story... Tennessee coach Pearl signs two-year extension March 8, 2006 NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee rewarded first-year coach Bruce Pearl for returning the Volunteers to the top of the Southeastern Conference with a raise and a two-year contract extension. Pearl's annual salary will go to $1.1 million on a deal that now runs through 2012, the university announced Wednesday. The 14th-ranked Volunteers (21-6) won the SEC East division title and are a lock to make the NCAA field for the first time since 2001. Pearl was hired after last season to replace Buzz Peterson, who was fired after four mediocre seasons. Pearl's original package paid him $800,000 annually, and athletic director Mike Hamilton had said earlier this season that Pearl should be one of the highest paid coaches in the SEC. This deal accomplishes that. Pearl will make $1.1 million next season with different portions of his pay escalating over the next six years so that by the final year his total compensation reaches $1.5 million. Pearl's base salary rises from $225,000 to $300,000 for next season. He also will be paid $300,000 for radio and television commitments, $300,000 for endorsements, $150,000 for public relations and $50,000 for camps. "Not only is Coach Pearl one of the very best coaches in the nation, but more importantly, he has become a great ambassador for our university during his tenure at Tennessee," university president John Petersen said. Pearl will appear before the state Legislature on Thursday morning while his Vols enjoy a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament in Nashville. "The University of Tennessee has so much to offer -- from great academic programs to incredible athletic resources to the most passionate fans in the country. I look forward to being the men's basketball coach at Tennessee for many more years," Pearl said.
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Posted by OMCreader on Feb. 18, 2006 at 7:54 p.m. (report)
JN said: Yes Milw. is a great city to live in for 9mo. a year! Jan-mar suck, trust me, i live here. Congrats to Tenn., B.Pearl would have been a fool not to take that job. 1mil a yr? c'mon milw. get over it. Great coach,great man. He did what was right for his career and more importantly,his family. GO Vols, I'm a new fan!
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Posted by OMCreader on Feb. 16, 2006 at 5:53 p.m. (report)
MKE said: apparently sarcasm and humor are new to Knoxville?
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