Steady at the Helm: Basketball Staff Enters Fourth Season Together

Nov. 13, 2009

Blog: Vols setting bar 'as high as you can set it'

By Tom Satkowiak, Associate Sports Information Director

Tennessee's entire full-time coaching staff remains intact entering a fourth straight season. During its time together on Rocky Top, the group has never failed to lead the Volunteers to the NCAA Tournament or reach the 20-win mark.

"You definitely feel a comfort level when you work the same coaches year after year," third-year Vol Tyler Smith said. "Our staff is great. The way they run practice, the way they teach, the way we scout our opponents--you can't help but feel like you're prepared to win every time you step on the court. These coaches always put us in position to make plays and win games.

"Plus they're just fun to play for."

There's been plenty of fun to go around since head coach Bruce Pearl arrived in Knoxville before the 2005-06 season. From his previous post at UW-Milwaukee, Pearl brought with him associate head coach Tony Jones, assistant coach Jason Shay and director of basketball operations Ken Johnson. One season later, assistant coach Steve Forbes was hired following a successful stint at Texas A&M.

In addition to leading the Vols to back-to-back Sweet Sixteens in 2007 and 2008, claiming the 2008 Southeastern Conference championship and attaining a No. 1 national ranking, Tennessee's coaching staff also has excelled at individual player development.

"Coach Pearl and the staff have helped me elevate my game and prepare me for the next level," guard Scotty Hopson said. "They instilled the work ethic in me to help me reach my full potential. Through skill work, weights and conditioning, they've helped put me in position to play in the NBA when the time comes."

Current Golden State Warriors guard C.J. Watson--a three-year NBA veteran who inked a lucrative new contract this past off-season--openly credits this Tennessee coaching staff with transforming him into an NBA-caliber player. Senior post Wayne Chism has seen his productivity increase every year since arriving at UT, raising both his scoring output and rebounding average by more than 50 percent since his freshman season.

Numerous other Vols such as Chris Lofton, Brian Williams, J.P. Prince, Bobby Maze and Tyler Smith also have displayed measurable improvements under Tennessee's current collection of coaches.

"I've got great coaches," Pearl said. "They're hard-working and loyal. I trust my staff, and they know how to recruit to this system. We all work very well together.

"We've known each other and each other's families for years. My best friends are my coaches."

Of course, every staff has its unsung heroes. Even those who don't have on-court coaching responsibilities play a key role in a program's success. Assistant to the head coach Mark Pancratz, video coordinator aron00.html" >Aaron Green, athletic trainer Chad Newman, strength and conditioning coach Troy Wills and a host of other administrative workhorses also deserve credit for helping Tennessee maintain its reputation as one of the nation's top collegiate basketball programs.