{image1} 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.
