Tennessee fans have started page to buy out Bruce Pearl’s Auburn contract

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Oct 22, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Bruce Pearl speaks with the media during the SEC media day at the Ballantyne Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports Jeremy Brevard USA TODAY Sports

Friday, Tennessee fired Donnie Tyndall. On Saturday, Vol fans are raising money to bring Bruce Pearl back to Knoxville. The effort, through GoFundMe, is off to a slow start, having notched $15 towards the $5 million buyout. That leaves just $4,999,985 to go.

Nevertheless it’s an interesting window into how the vast majority of the fan base feels: Go get Bruce Pearl. 

This could also be a new wave in fan-driven fundraising. Remember, most people who donate to political campaigns aren’t giving the maximum contributions, they’re giving less than $20. 

So do enough Vol fans want Pearl that this pledged money could make a difference? We’ll see. 

So far athletic director Dave Hart seems pretty steadfast that he’d rather hire other coaches with worse NCAA issues and fire them than give Volunteer fans exactly what they want — Pearl back on the sideline in Thompson-Boling Arena. 

Feel the need to make a pledge of your own?

Dive in here.

In the meantime, it’s worth noting that Pearl’s buyout would immediately be remade by increased ticket sales and donations. But what do I know? I’m not a businessman, just a business, man. 

Written by Clay Travis

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