REPORTS ARE SURFACING OUT OF KNOXVILLE AND NASHVILLE THAT TENNESSEE VOLS BASKETBALL COACH BRUCE PEARL HAS BEEN FIRED.

A KNOXVILLE RADIO STATION REPORTS PEARL WAS INFORMED OF HIS FIRING OVER THE WEEKEND, HOWEVER THE SCHOOL WAS WORKING OUT FINAL DETAILS TODAY OF A CONTRACT BUYOUT.

TENNESSEE LOST IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE NC-AA TOURNAMENT LAST FRIDAY TO MICHIGAN.  PEARL HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF CONTROVERSY AFTER LYING TO NC-AA INVESTIGATORS CONCERNING POSSIBLE RECRUITING VIOLATIONS.  U-T ATHLETICS DIRECTOR MIKE HAMILTON SAID IN A RADIO INTERVIEW LAST WEEK, PEARL'S STATUS WOULD BE DETERMINED AT THE END OF THE SEASON.

MORE INFORMATION ON THIS BREAKING STORY AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.