Will be more difficult to hire colorful former Tennessee coach: Hiring Bruce Pearl to coach a basketball team just got harder and messier for a school. The NCAA announced today it had hit the former Tennessee men’s basketball coach with a three-year show-cause penalty, punishing him for lying to investigators about improperly hosting recruits at his home and urging others to do the same. What the ruling means is that before Pearl can be hired, a school must tell the NCAA why it wants him and be prepared to face its own penalties for giving him a job. Former Pearl assistants Tony Jones, Jason Shay and Steve Forbes face the same sanctions, except they were only given one-year show-cause penalties for their respective roles in misleading the NCAA.
Former LSU commitment no longer with Vols: Tennessee coach Derek Dooley dismissed safety Janzen Jackson from the team today as the junior’s personal issues had apparently become too much of a distraction. Jackson withdrew from school in February to address personal issues but enrolled again in July and was reinstated to the Vols earlier this month as fall camp began. Dooley said after Tuesday’s practice that Jackson would remain with the team on a day-to-day basis. Dooley did not specify what actions ultimately led to the Lake Charles native’s dismissal today. Jackson had committed to LSU before changing his mind and signing with Tennessee in February 2009. Jackson made 69 tackles and had a team-high of five interceptions in 2010, which led to 114 interception return yards. He made 22 starts in 23 games over two seasons with Tennessee and was expected to be a key part of the Volunteers’ secondary.
