Do you honestly believe Bruce Pearl had no idea what Chuck Person was up to?

[Franisdaman]

Bruce Pearl has been Auburn's Head Coach since March, 2014.

Chuck Person was Associate Head Coach at Auburn. Person said he committed his crimes in late 2016 and early 2017, during Pearl's watch.

From USA Today:

In March, 2019, Chuck Person pleaded guilty to a bribery conspiracy charge in the widespread college basketball bribery scandal, ensuring that none of the four coaches charged in the probe will go to trial.

He accepted $91,500 in bribes to steer players with NBA potential to a Pittsburgh-based financial adviser. As part of the plea, he agreed to forfeit that amount.

The plea deal has a recommended sentencing guideline range of two to 2½ years in prison, though the sentence will be left up to Judge Loretta A. Preska. The sentencing is scheduled for July 9, 2019.

In a release, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said Person "abused his position as a coach and mentor to student-athletes in exchange for personal gain."

"In taking tens of thousands of dollars in cash bribes, Person not only placed personal financial gain above his obligations to his employer and the student-athletes he coached, but he broke the law," he said.

Person arranged multiple meetings between the financial adviser and Auburn players or their family members.

In court papers, prosecutors said Person arranged multiple meetings between the financial adviser and Auburn players or their family members.

Prosecutors said he failed to tell families and players that he was being bribed to recommend the financial adviser.

In one recorded conversation, prosecutor said, Person warned an Auburn player to keep his relationship with the financial adviser a secret.

According to prosecutors, Person said: "Don't say nothing to anybody. ... Don't share with your sisters, don't share with any of the teammates, that's very important cause this is a violation ... of rules, but this is how the NBA players get it done, they get early relationships, and they form partnerships."

LINK: https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...tant-basketball-coach-pleads-guilty/39223611/

 

[Rudolph]

Collusion.

 

[theIowaHawk]

It’s only a one time thing, so....oh wait.

 

[Franisdaman]

It’s only a one time thing, so....oh wait.

It makes you really wonder what was going on in the Deon Thomas recruiting battle. Makes you wonder if he has been a sleeze ball ever since.

And then there were the recruiting violations when he was head coach at Tennessee. And didn't he lie to the NCAA about those violations?

So Bruce has a history of not telling the truth.

And now he says he knew nothing about Person's illegal activities. Riiiiiight. Bruce lied to the NCAA; do we trust him now?

 

[theIowaHawk]

It makes you really wonder what was going on in the Deon Thomas recruiting battle. Makes you wonder if he has been a sleeze ball ever since.

And then there were the recruiting violations when he was head coach at Tennessee. And didn't he lie to the NCAA about those violations?

So Bruce has a history of not telling the truth.

And now he says he knew nothing about Person's illegal activities. Riiiiiight. Bruce lied to the NCAA; do we trust him now?

Those who want him just don’t care.

 

[Rudolph]

It makes you really wonder what was going on in the Deon Thomas recruiting battle. Makes you wonder if he has been a sleeze ball ever since.

And then there were the recruiting violations when he was head coach at Tennessee. And didn't he lie to the NCAA about those violations?

So Bruce has a history of not telling the truth.

And now he says he knew nothing about Person's illegal activities. Riiiiiight. Bruce lied to the NCAA; do we trust him now?

Those who want him just don’t care.

Not trying to absolve Pearl, but please look for my post in either of the threads in the last week titled “Bruce Pearl”.

 

[hawkeyeinmo]

Not trying to absolve Pearl, but please look for my post in either of the threads in the last week titled “Bruce Pearl”.

I’ve read your your posts about playing for Pearl. However, con men are some of the most likable believable people on the planet (especially to nieve young men)

 

[K OKeefe]

Bruce Pearl has been Auburn's Head Coach since March, 2014.

Chuck Person was Associate Head Coach at Auburn. Person said he committed his crimes in late 2016 and early 2017, during Pearl's watch.

From USA Today:

In March, 2019, Chuck Person pleaded guilty to a bribery conspiracy charge in the widespread college basketball bribery scandal, ensuring that none of the four coaches charged in the probe will go to trial.

He accepted $91,500 in bribes to steer players with NBA potential to a Pittsburgh-based financial adviser. As part of the plea, he agreed to forfeit that amount.

The plea deal has a recommended sentencing guideline range of two to 2½ years in prison, though the sentence will be left up to Judge Loretta A. Preska. The sentencing is scheduled for July 9, 2019.

In a release, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said Person "abused his position as a coach and mentor to student-athletes in exchange for personal gain."

"In taking tens of thousands of dollars in cash bribes, Person not only placed personal financial gain above his obligations to his employer and the student-athletes he coached, but he broke the law," he said.

Person arranged multiple meetings between the financial adviser and Auburn players or their family members.

In court papers, prosecutors said Person arranged multiple meetings between the financial adviser and Auburn players or their family members.

Prosecutors said he failed to tell families and players that he was being bribed to recommend the financial adviser.

In one recorded conversation, prosecutor said, Person warned an Auburn player to keep his relationship with the financial adviser a secret.

According to prosecutors, Person said: "Don't say nothing to anybody. ... Don't share with your sisters, don't share with any of the teammates, that's very important cause this is a violation ... of rules, but this is how the NBA players get it done, they get early relationships, and they form partnerships."

LINK: https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...tant-basketball-coach-pleads-guilty/39223611/

It does not matter what you surmise from this situation that Chuck Person finds himself in. The real question is can it be proved that Bruce Pearl knew it was going on? Where is the evidence that proves Bruce was involved? If it can be proven that Bruce knew then he should be banned for life.

 

[Franisdaman]

It does not matter what you surmise from this situation that Chuck Person finds himself in. The real question is can it be proved that Bruce Pearl knew it was going on? Where is the evidence that proves Bruce was involved? If it can be proven that Bruce knew then he should be banned for life.

Agree, if there were proof, the feds would have taken him down, too.

But coaches are control freaks. They know what is going on at all times and they know who is coming and going in the building.

And there has been smoke wherever Bruce Pearl has been. At Iowa. At Tennessee. At Auburn.

In addition, he has lied in the past to the NCAA. Not sure how anyone can take his word on anything.

 

[K OKeefe]

It makes you really wonder what was going on in the Deon Thomas recruiting battle. Makes you wonder if he has been a sleeze ball ever since.

And then there were the recruiting violations when he was head coach at Tennessee. And didn't he lie to the NCAA about those violations?

So Bruce has a history of not telling the truth.

And now he says he knew nothing about Person's illegal activities. Riiiiiight. Bruce lied to the NCAA; do we trust him now?

Unless there is proof to charge Bruce with a crime. I am pretty sure that if Chuck Person had evidence to implicate Bruce he would use it considering he is looking at 2.5 years in prison. Besides how does it help Auburn for a coach to steer NBA potential players to A Pittsburgh based financial advisor. "He accepted $91,500 in bribes to steer players with NBA potential to a Pittsburgh-based financial adviser." ""In taking tens of thousands of dollars in cash bribes, Person not only placed personal financial gain above his obligations to his employer and the student-athletes he coached, but he broke the law," he said" This benefited Chuck Person after the players were already in school and playing for Auburn; therefore, there was no recruiting violations. It is a simple case of Chuck Person making money off of his current players.

 

[4IUSox2]

Hard to believe Pearl didn't know about this in some way. Big time coaches at this level are such control freaks.

Besides excessive phone calls while at UT, he got in big trouble when he lied to the NCAA about a picture someone sent of him and Aaron Craft at his home while a junior in HS. Off-campus visits being a violation during an unofficial visit.

 

[Run&Blade]

This final four will eventually be vacated.

 

[Franisdaman]

Hard to believe Pearl didn't know about this in some way. Big time coaches at this level are such control freaks.

Besides excessive phone calls while at UT, he got in big trouble when he lied to the NCAA about a picture someone sent of him and Aaron Craft at his home while a junior in HS. Off-campus visits being a violation during an unofficial visit.

Sean Miller is a control freak as well and he claimed he had no idea what was going on under his watch at Arizona, too.

 

[K OKeefe]

Has anyone actually red the USA Today article the OP posted? "In one recorded conversation, prosecutor said, Person warned an Auburn player to keep his relationship with the financial adviser a secret." Based on what is posted here there is no recruiting violation. It is a assistant coach making bank off of the potential NBA players on the team.

 

[HawkLogic]

Those who want him just don’t care.

Bruce is in the Final-4.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Bruce is in the Final-4.

Therefore you agree you don’t care about the cheating? Isn’t that precisely what I posted?

 

[theIowaHawk]

Agree, if there were proof, the feds would have taken him down, too.

But coaches are control freaks. They know what is going on at all times and they know who is coming and going in the building.

And there has been smoke wherever Bruce Pearl has been. At Iowa. At Tennessee. At Auburn.

In addition, he has lied in the past to the NCAA. Not sure how anyone can take his word on anything.

Why do you believe they would “take them down too,” when they never have even attempted to. Wade is recorded, yet does anyone believe anything will happen to him?

These fed charges aren’t about knowing or authorizing, they are about doing the act, which the HC’s don’t do.

Seriously, wish to have these coaches all you want, but you can’t actually believe this drivel, right?

 

[hawkjt]

Was the financial advisor paying these players to keep them in fold?
That would be a violation although in the SEC it is routine.

 

[David1979]

Bruce Pearl has been Auburn's Head Coach since March, 2014.

Chuck Person was Associate Head Coach at Auburn. Person said he committed his crimes in late 2016 and early 2017, during Pearl's watch.

From USA Today:

In March, 2019, Chuck Person pleaded guilty to a bribery conspiracy charge in the widespread college basketball bribery scandal, ensuring that none of the four coaches charged in the probe will go to trial.

He accepted $91,500 in bribes to steer players with NBA potential to a Pittsburgh-based financial adviser. As part of the plea, he agreed to forfeit that amount.

The plea deal has a recommended sentencing guideline range of two to 2½ years in prison, though the sentence will be left up to Judge Loretta A. Preska. The sentencing is scheduled for July 9, 2019.

In a release, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said Person "abused his position as a coach and mentor to student-athletes in exchange for personal gain."

"In taking tens of thousands of dollars in cash bribes, Person not only placed personal financial gain above his obligations to his employer and the student-athletes he coached, but he broke the law," he said.

Person arranged multiple meetings between the financial adviser and Auburn players or their family members.

In court papers, prosecutors said Person arranged multiple meetings between the financial adviser and Auburn players or their family members.

Prosecutors said he failed to tell families and players that he was being bribed to recommend the financial adviser.

In one recorded conversation, prosecutor said, Person warned an Auburn player to keep his relationship with the financial adviser a secret.

According to prosecutors, Person said: "Don't say nothing to anybody. ... Don't share with your sisters, don't share with any of the teammates, that's very important cause this is a violation ... of rules, but this is how the NBA players get it done, they get early relationships, and they form partnerships."

LINK: https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...tant-basketball-coach-pleads-guilty/39223611/

Don't see why Person would tell his head coach he was taking bribes.

 

[David1979]

Pearl really didn't do much at Tennessee. He mostly got in trouble for lying about the Aaron Craft visit and telling other people to lie.

 

[TampaHawkfan]

This final four will eventually be vacated.

And virtually no one will care.

 

[SSG T]

If there wasn't 20 years of shenanigans, I'd be inclined to think he didn't. However...

 

[2432Hawk]

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

If there wasn't 20 years of shenanigans, I'd be inclined to think he didn't. However...

 

[Birdmanil]

Therefore you agree you don’t care about the cheating? Isn’t that precisely what I posted?

I think there are two issues that are getting confused here. One, Pearl got into trouble for lying about have a recruit(s) at his home for a cookout. That's a big no no and can be construed as cheating. The second issue is about an assistant coach profiting off of players signing with a particular financial adviser. I don't consider that cheating as much as it isn't ethical based on conflict of interest and the position of power the said coach is in. In no way am I asking for Fran to be replaced with Pearl, I'd like to see Fran coach at Iowa until at least this incoming recruiting class graduates. But if the opportunity to get Pearl should ever arise after and no other issues come to light regarding recruiting other that Tennessee incident, I'd be perfectly fine with that

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

It does not matter what you surmise from this situation that Chuck Person finds himself in. The real question is can it be proved that Bruce Pearl knew it was going on? Where is the evidence that proves Bruce was involved? If it can be proven that Bruce knew then he should be banned for life.

It doesn’t nor shouldn’t need proof, HCs get paired millions of dollars to run a program- including hiring assistants. It’s head coaches responsibility to know what’s going on, I would guess he knew exactly what was happening and in fact hired him to do exactly what he did

 

[K OKeefe]

It doesn’t nor shouldn’t need proof, HCs get paired millions of dollars to run a program- including hiring assistants. It’s head coaches responsibility to know what’s going on, I would guess he knew exactly what was happening and in fact hired him to do exactly what he did

No proof needed? Remind me to never have you on a jury. I guess you overlooked the quote from Chuck Person telling the player to keep the financial advisor meeting a secret. Point to me where in the article there is a recruiting violation- the players were already recruited and playing for the university. I get that you do not like Bruce Pearl, but you must have proof that he did something wrong- otherwise it is just allegations.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Let's leave the "proof" up to the NCAA, the courts, and those schools that might consider hiring him (Iowa never will). This thread is about "what you believe".

And, if you choose to give the benefit of the doubt to Bruce, that's fair.

But, Roy Williams has been torched on this board because his players took a "Basket Weaving for Dummies" course at UNC - a course available to all students - and most assumed he had full knowledge of it and should have stopped it.

No crimes or NCAA violations have been proven against Calipari, but he is generally considered here to be the lowest form of human life.

And, I'm not sure if anything was ever "proven" against Pitino, other than perhaps a poor location choice for a romantic dalliance with a waitress.

I personally believe that all of them would do whatever it takes to win, fair or unfair, legal or illegal. If I were charged with running an institution of higher learning, none of them would ever be hired.

Just looking for some consistency.

 

[theIowaHawk]

I think there are two issues that are getting confused here. One, Pearl got into trouble for lying about have a recruit(s) at his home for a cookout. That's a big no no and can be construed as cheating. The second issue is about an assistant coach profiting off of players signing with a particular financial adviser. I don't consider that cheating as much as it isn't ethical based on conflict of interest and the position of power the said coach is in. In no way am I asking for Fran to be replaced with Pearl, I'd like to see Fran coach at Iowa until at least this incoming recruiting class graduates. But if the opportunity to get Pearl should ever arise after and no other issues come to light regarding recruiting other that Tennessee incident, I'd be perfectly fine with that

That’s what you think the assistant was doing? Oh goodness.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Let's leave the "proof" up to the NCAA, the courts, and those schools that might consider hiring him (Iowa never will). This thread is about "what you believe".

And, if you choose to give the benefit of the doubt to Bruce, that's fair.

But, Roy Williams has been torched on this board because his players took a "Basket Weaving for Dummies" course at UNC - a course available to all students - and most assumed he had full knowledge of it and should have stopped it.

No crimes or NCAA violations have been proven against Calipari, but he is generally considered here to be the lowest form of human life.

And, I'm not sure if anything was ever "proven" against Pitino, other than perhaps a poor location choice for a romantic dalliance with a waitress.

I personally believe that all of them would do whatever it takes to win, fair or unfair, legal or illegal. If I were charged with running an institution of higher learning, none of them would ever be hired.

Just looking for some consistency.

Well put, exceptfor it being “fair” to give him the benefit of doubt at this point. And Bonds wasn’t roiding.

 

[The_PhoenixII]

Iowa would be smart to hire Pearl away. He should have been the coach in Iowa City long ago. He would turn Iowa into a big time program

 

[Rudolph]

I’ve read your your posts about playing for Pearl. However, con men are some of the most likable believable people on the planet (especially to nieve young men)

My posts attempted to put into context how he may have come to be perceived as such. He's a genuine person, I believe. I think it bears consideration that there is a lot to the NCAA that, in light of who does what and who gets caught, is sorta bullshit.

People love to look at a guy like Pearl—whose violations are pretty dumb compared to, say, UNC's or even this shit now with MSU, or, since we just played Baylor, how about Baylor—and make him a convenient villain. In the grand scheme of things, Pearl is far from some type of villain.

To me, the villain is us, because for the most part we're all willing to look the other way when it comes to our preferred people or programs or institutions. I'm doing this with Pearl, now, to a degree.

I don't mean to absolve Pearl or suggest he's some prince. Just some context. Surely operating in that environment develops some interesting shades of grey for people.

I'll tell you when it comes to institutional erring, the first two issues that come to mind are delegitimizing the academic/educational experience (UNC for example) and sexual assault/rape obfuscations/coverups (like Baylor, MSU and Penn State). I honestly don't get super-upset about phone calls outside the allowed time periods, or a BBQ, or even some cash. I get upset, but given the money generated by these top-level guys, and given the circumstances some of these kids and their families, given our hyper-capitalist society, I'm not going to go nuts over some kid getting a chunk of cash. Yeah, it sucks, especially being an Iowa fan knowing Iowa is one of the cleaner programs.

So I guess what I'm saying is that Pearl is hardly some terrible person, at least as far as I could tell. Again, I go back to his Deon Thomas experience. Imagine being mentored by squeaky-clean Dr. Tom, feeling like you're doing the right thing by exposing Illinois for cheating, then being blacklisted for it. That had to affect, on some level, his respect for the NCAA and open his eyes to the "ethics" of the profession at that level.

 

[hawkeyeinmo]

My posts attempted to put into context how he may have come to be perceived as such. He's a genuine person, I believe. I think it bears consideration that there is a lot to the NCAA that, in light of who does what and who gets caught, is sorta bullshit.

People love to look at a guy like Pearl—whose violations are pretty dumb compared to, say, UNC's or even this shit now with MSU, or, since we just played Baylor, how about Baylor—and make him a convenient villain. In the grand scheme of things, Pearl is far from some type of villain.

To me, the villain is us, because for the most part we're all willing to look the other way when it comes to our preferred people or programs or institutions. I'm doing this with Pearl, now, to a degree.

I don't mean to absolve Pearl or suggest he's some prince. Just some context. Surely operating in that environment develops some interesting shades of grey for people.

I'll tell you when it comes to institutional erring, the first two issues that come to mind are delegitimizing the academic/educational experience (UNC for example) and sexual assault/rape obfuscations/coverups (like Baylor, MSU and Penn State). I honestly don't get super-upset about phone calls outside the allowed time periods, or a BBQ, or even some cash. I get upset, but given the money generated by these top-level guys, and given the circumstances some of these kids and their families, given our hyper-capitalist society, I'm not going to go nuts over some kid getting a chunk of cash. Yeah, it sucks, especially being an Iowa fan knowing Iowa is one of the cleaner programs.

So I guess what I'm saying is that Pearl is hardly some terrible person, at least as far as I could tell. Again, I go back to his Deon Thomas experience. Imagine being mentored by squeaky-clean Dr. Tom, feeling like you're doing the right thing by exposing Illinois for cheating, then being blacklisted for it. That had to affect, on some level, his respect for the NCAA and open his eyes to the "ethics" of the profession at that level.

I would disagree with just a couple points. Granted did not have near the contact with Bruce as you. I certainly would agree he is a likable guy but “genuine” sorry I saw a used car salesman with a bit of narcissistic personality. What he has been found guilty of is kind of like the steroid argument. It’s not a big deal until YOU are the athlete who loses your job to the guy who cheated to get an edge.

 

[Run&Blade]

And virtually no one will care.

I agree. It’s very stupid to try and erase history.

 

[Franisdaman]

From an April 4, 2019 AP Story (part of their Final 4 coverage):

Auburn placed Person’s replacement, assistant Ira Bowman, on administrative leave while it investigated allegations that he was involved in a bribery scheme at his previous job at University of Pennsylvania.

While Pearl, the 58-year-old coaching lifer, hasn’t taken offense to those who might question his judgment for hiring those coaches, he’s been a little more prickly with those who want to relive his past.

He was fired at Tennessee in 2011 for bringing a recruit to a barbecue at his house — a violation made worse by the fact he lied about it, and asked others to do the same. It branded him with a three-year NCAA “show cause” penalty — the equivalent of being completely kicked out of basketball.

LINK: https://apnews.com/18e67ba0f73f4453b63d9d7f9cf9ddaa

 

[cidhawkeye]

Calipari is the Lou Holtz of hoops. Wherever he goes violations follow but they never knew nothing.

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[theIowaHawk]

My posts attempted to put into context how he may have come to be perceived as such. He's a genuine person, I believe. I think it bears consideration that there is a lot to the NCAA that, in light of who does what and who gets caught, is sorta bullshit.

People love to look at a guy like Pearl—whose violations are pretty dumb compared to, say, UNC's or even this shit now with MSU, or, since we just played Baylor, how about Baylor—and make him a convenient villain. In the grand scheme of things, Pearl is far from some type of villain.

To me, the villain is us, because for the most part we're all willing to look the other way when it comes to our preferred people or programs or institutions. I'm doing this with Pearl, now, to a degree.

I don't mean to absolve Pearl or suggest he's some prince. Just some context. Surely operating in that environment develops some interesting shades of grey for people.

I'll tell you when it comes to institutional erring, the first two issues that come to mind are delegitimizing the academic/educational experience (UNC for example) and sexual assault/rape obfuscations/coverups (like Baylor, MSU and Penn State). I honestly don't get super-upset about phone calls outside the allowed time periods, or a BBQ, or even some cash. I get upset, but given the money generated by these top-level guys, and given the circumstances some of these kids and their families, given our hyper-capitalist society, I'm not going to go nuts over some kid getting a chunk of cash. Yeah, it sucks, especially being an Iowa fan knowing Iowa is one of the cleaner programs.

So I guess what I'm saying is that Pearl is hardly some terrible person, at least as far as I could tell. Again, I go back to his Deon Thomas experience. Imagine being mentored by squeaky-clean Dr. Tom, feeling like you're doing the right thing by exposing Illinois for cheating, then being blacklisted for it. That had to affect, on some level, his respect for the NCAA and open his eyes to the "ethics" of the profession at that level.

Again, you think his “exposing Illinois” was altruistic? Come the F on. It was self serving.

And you keep going back to that one while ignoring the ones in-between, the ones why he’s had show cause.

But you do point out your stance, which I applaud, that the blatant rule violations are rules you just don’t care much about. A good discussion could be had over those rules, but in most people’s opinions not over whether certain coaches should be applauded for being successful by violating them.

But I do want to agree in general. A person can be a “good” person while also being “bad” in parts of his life, such as cutting corners or cheating or lying about cheating or letting others take the blame for your instructing then to do all of that. Too often people must be only good or bad, which is silly.

 

[Rudolph]

Again, you think his “exposing Illinois” was altruistic? Come the F on. It was self serving.

And you keep going back to that one while ignoring the ones in-between, the ones why he’s had show cause.

But you do point out your stance, which I applaud, that the blatant rule violations are rules you just don’t care much about. A good discussion could be had over those rules, but in most people’s opinions not over whether certain coaches should be applauded for being successful by violating them.

But I do want to agree in general. A person can be a “good” person while also being “bad” in parts of his life, such as cutting corners or cheating or lying about cheating or letting others take the blame for your instructing then to do all of that. Too often people must be only good or bad, which is silly.

Altruistic? Hard to say. I’m thinking about who I brelieve him to be at that time, given that’s when I knew him, and given his being mentored by, and on staff with, Dr. Tom.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Altruistic? Hard to say. I’m thinking about who I brelieve him to be at that time, given that’s when I knew him, and given his being mentored by, and on staff with, Dr. Tom.

Then maybe you have better insight to that time than me, but there’s a pretty straight line to draw between him, his reporting, and how it would serve him.