Cuonzo Martin
Tennessee head coach Cuonzo Martin argues with the refs during a game against Alabama on Saturday, February 1, 2014, at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)
AUBURN, Alabama -- Bruce Pearl knows what it's like to coach at Tennessee.
The coach also knows it must have been tough on Cuonzo Martin, who seemingly dealt with Pearl's shadow at every turn during his three-year stint as the Volunteers' coach. Martin left Tennessee for California this week after taking the Vols to the Sweet 16.
"I wasn't surprised. I wasn't," Pearl told Athlon Sports this week. "Cuonzo didn't seem to be happy there. I know they talked about the fact that he had to overcome following me, and I understand that we had success, but they still had 18,000 people come to every single game. Overcome that or not, they got great support in Knoxville, great facilities, great university. The embracing needs to work both ways, so I'm happy for coach Martin."
Pearl led Tennessee to six straight NCAA tournament appearances, including two Sweet 16 trips and an appearance in the Elite Eight. He was fired in 2011, finishing with a 145-61 record, and was hired by Auburn in March as his three-year show-cause penalty nears its end (Aug. 24).
Martin coached the Volunteers to three postseasons, but led them to the NCAA Tournament only once.
"He maintained a level of success that we worked really hard to create," Pearl told Athlon. "I'm grateful to coach Martin as a former Tennessee head basketball coach, and a Vol for life, I'm grateful for the job he did because he kept it going. I wish him nothing but success at Cal, and if he wasn't happy there and he didn't feel appreciated there, then I'm glad he's not there because I want somebody there that wants to be there. So I appreciate the job he did and I'm happy for him and his family that they got a chance to move on."