Bruce Pearl's Lies

The heat is really cranking up on Pearl at Tennessee.  It turns out that not only did he lie to the NCAA, but he lied to the public about why he lied to the NCAA. Here are a variety of editorials and updates on the situation:

-- Pearl's Ill-timed Lies (explains what he did) - Sportsline.com
-- Pearl Must Go - Sportsline.com
-- Pearl's Contract Explained -- ESPN.com
-- UT's problems in Football, Basketball and Baseball -- MrSEC
-- Bruce Pearl compared to Jimmy Swaggert -- Local TN paper

To understand why lying to the NCAA is such a big deal, it helps to remember who you're dealing with.  NCAA investigators are often retired FBI agents who are big sports fans.  You know who doesn't like to be lied to?  FBI agents. You know who knows when they are being lied to?  FBI agents.

Roger Clemens is learning about lying during an investigation.  Had Clemons simply admitted to juicing before he testified before Congress or even pleaded the Fifth Amendment and avoided their questions, he wouldn't be facing jail time.  Lying to the Feds is an excellent way to make a small thing a gigantic thing.  Pearl knew better and as the Sportsline guys stated...he lied about something that wasn't worth lying about in the first place.

PWD