Tennessee denies Memphis has spoken with Pearl

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee is denying that anyone connected with Memphis has spoken with either coach Bruce Pearl or its athletic director about replacing John Calipari as the Tigers' basketball coach.

WMC-TV reported on its Web site Thursday that sources said Memphis had offered Pearl a seven-year, $21 million ackage to take over for Calipari. Calipari was introduced Wednesday as Kentucky's new coach and the highest paid in college basketball with an eight year, $31.65 million deal.

"No one has talked to Memphis," Tennessee spokeswoman Tiffany Carpenter told The Associated Press.

Tennessee planned a statement from Pearl later Thursday. Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton did not immediately return a message from The Associated Press on his cell phone.

Pearl was in Detroit, site of this weekend's Final Four, to present the Adolph Rupp national coach of award to Louisville coach Rick Pitino and was seen Thursday morning wearing a tan suit with a Tennessee orange tie and orange and blue pinstriped shirt.

But The Commercial Appeal reported on its Web site that Memphis planned to ask for permission to talk to Pearl. Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson did not immediately return a message left on his cell phone from the AP.

Pearl, a two-time coach of the year in the Southeastern Conference, took Tennessee to the first No. 1 ranking in school history in February 2008 by beating then-No. 1 Memphis and Calipari on the Tigers' home court. He has a $2.5 million buyout in his contract if he left Tennessee this year.

He earned $1.6 million for the 2008-09 season but is averaging $2.3 million a year under the six-season contract signed last summer that goes through 2013-14

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