The announced firing of Tennessee coach Buzz Peterson was not surprising. Nor is it terribly surprising to see their rumor mill include Coach Jamie Dixon in the mix (small correction, to the article, is that the next guy hired will be the fifth coach hired since Don DeVoe in 1989).

What makes me pay some attention to this was how things have worked out for Tennessee and Pitt over 10 years. After the 1993-94 season, both Pitt and Tennessee were in the market for new head basketball coaches. Both were going after the hot head coach, Kevin O’Neill at Marquette. O’Neill chose Tennessee and Pitt settled on a Rick Pitino disciple, Ralph Willard (now the head coach at Holy Cross). I remember being quite unhappy at the time that Pitt struck out with their top choice.

Neither Pitt, nor Tennessee found success with the hires in 1994. O’Neill left for the Northwestern job after the 1996-97 season — a curious decision. Never even reaching a .500 season. Willard “resigned” after the 1998-99 season.

Both programs found success with the next hire. Tennessee hired Jerry Green from Oregon, who won 20 or more games in all four years. He was ultimately fired, though, for not meeting expectations — getting out of the first weekend of the NCAA. And having an out-of-control program, as numerous players encountered legal and academic problems. Pitt’s program was turned around under Ben Howland, who bolted for the UCLA job.

Pitt has continued to enjoy success, building and strengthening the entire program; while Tennessee has floundered. Who can say what would have happened if O’Neill had chosen the Pitt job?