Tennessee basketball coach Buzz Peterson was fired today after UT wasn’t even invited to the NIT this year. It’s hard to argue with AD Mike Hamilton’s decision going on pure numbers. Two of Peterson’s four seasons were in the red, and he had a losing record this year despite every starter returning. While Peterson was a true class act off the court and liked by the fans, “stand-up guy” doesn’t cut it at a school that fired its last coach (Jerry Green) for going to four straight NCAA tournaments, including a Sweet 16 appearance. Check this statistic:
UT’s record for the 90’s prior to Green’s arrival was an abysmal (90-113) over seven seasons with only one winning season (19-15) during that stretch.
Compare that to Green’s 89-36 record and aforementioned tournament appearances. Peterson finished with a 61-59 overall record, apparently on pace with the pre-Green days of UT basketball.
The school would be EXTREMELY fortunate to field a team that even made the tournament, much less got past the first or second round. So now the school has fired two coaches in eight seasons. Who in his right mind would take that job knowing that he’ll probably be fired after three or four seasons? Further, what recruit in his right mind would commit to a school with a revolving door coaching policy like UT’s?
At least football season starts Sep. 3.
I have to say I agree with the decision. He was being paid a lot. He had a pretty good team to start with, including some premiere recruits. He didn’t do shit with any of it. The team obviously didn’t have the discipline. That’s the only explanation. They had lots of tallent that would show itself in spurts.
Buzz is a good coach. Look at what he did with Tulsa. The Vols only care about Football and Women’s Basketball, and with good reason. How many recruits are going to go to UT for men’s basketball when within 6 hours there are REAL basketball programs at Georgia Tech, UNC, Duke, NC State, Wake Forest, Kentucky, and Louisville. A team can have plenty of talent, but if it is all in the same areas (too many scorers, not enough defenders) you will never win anything. Buzz never got a fair shake because he is not capable of getting the top talent because of the schools around him. Seriously, of the seven teams I mentioned how many top end football players say I want to play at Kentucky instead of playing for the Vols (except for Tim Couch). These players know they have a chance at the big time and the other schools will get them the exposure they deserve. Look at Rashard McCants from Asheville, NC (where I reside about 10% of the time) he plays for UNC which is four hours away, but he could have gone to UT which is only two hours away. He knows that he will get more recognition if he goes to UNC (just like Buzz did, and Buzz’s roommate who was just some guy that wore a number 23). Really the last good basketball player that went to UT was Allen Houston, and he was the coach’s son.
Preaching to the choir, Eric.