Bruce Pearl is, in some ways, a lot like Deon Thomas.
“I survived,” Pearl said. “I guess there are a lot of parallels there.”
Pearl was the Iowa assistant coach whose secret taping of a telephone conversation with Thomas helped fuel an NCAA investigation into the Illinois basketball program. During the call, Pearl alleged that Illini assistant Jimmy Collins had offered cash to induce Thomas to attend Illinois.
When Thomas picked Illinois over Iowa, Pearl gave the tapes to the NCAA. The NCAA cleared Collins and Thomas of wrongdoing but gave Illinois heavy penalties for other rules violations. “People said I had committed coaching suicide by getting involved with the NCAA in the manner that I did,” the 33-year-old Pearl said.
As it turned out, the suicide was only temporary. Last year, Pearl led Division II Southern Indiana to a 22-7 record and the No. 11 ranking. He was named Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year in his first season at the Evansville, Ind., school.
This year, the Screaming Eagles look even stronger. They’re 17-2 and ranked fourth nationally. Their lineup includes 6-foot-10-inch Chris Bowles, a three-point specialist.
Pearl’s ability to recruit has helped Southern Indiana stay strong. He signed small forward Stan Gouard out of Danville, Ill., less than an hour’s drive from the Illinois campus. Gouard, who’s averaging 20 points and nine rebounds per game, is a conference Player of the Year candidate.
“Not only have I survived, but I’ve continued to be able to recruit in Illinois,” Pearl said. “That’s because I’m a good recruiter.”
His techniques in the Thomas case started a firestorm. Thomas later sued him, claiming the tapes violated federal wiretapping laws, but the case was dismissed.
It was an ugly chapter in both men’s lives. But Pearl said he sometimes draws on his experience-and Thomas’-to teach his players.
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“I always tell my players to work hard and never give up,” he said. “Deon obviously has done that, and he’s developed into an NBA prospect. I do feel badly that I wasn’t a positive influence in his life. But he’s really done well, and I’m very happy for him.”