March 28, 2005

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has opened its search for a new men's basketball coach after Bruce Pearl was introduced today as the coach at the University of Tennessee.

Chancellor Carlos E. Santiago, Athletic Director Bud Haidet and UWM student-athletes addressed Pearl's departure and the search for a new head coach at an afternoon news conference Monday at Chapman Hall.

"Bruce did so many wonderful things for this athletic department and this university and he has created memories that will last a lifetime. But, we must now move forward and focus our attention on the very bright future of UWM basketball," Haidet said. "Our success has made this a very attractive job and that will likely show up in the quality of candidates who will show interest in this position. It is our job now to hire a person who will ensure this program will continue to grow and reach even greater heights."

Haidet said the athletic department would retain a search firm to assist in the hiring of a new coach and that officials would look to move quickly in naming a replacement.

Santiago expressed his gratitude toward Pearl for his efforts at UWM and noted the university did make efforts to build a package that would keep Pearl from leaving. But, he then turned his attention toward the future of UWM basketball.

"In the coming days, I will work closely with our athletic director to hire a new coach who can help take our program to an even higher level," Santiago said. "We owe it to our players to provide them with the leadership and support that will help them to continue to succeed both on the basketball court and in the classroom. We also owe it to our fans who helped make these past three weeks some of the most memorable times this campus has ever experienced. I want to assure our fans and the community that we are committed to continuing to build upon the great success of our basketball program. Now that we know what it's like to have been to basketball's `promised land,' there is no turning back. I promise that we will make the necessary investments that will keep people around the country talking about UWM basketball, just as they talk about the great academic opportunities we provide to the people of Wisconsin."

UWM returns four of five starters and eight of its top 10 letterwinners next season. The Panthers, who have won the last two Horizon League regular season championships, upset Alabama and Boston College in the NCAA Tournament before falling to top-ranked Illinois Thursday.