Bruce Pearl apologizes to Pat Summitt for tarnishing Tennessee program

Police arrested four members of the No. 14 Tennessee men’s basketball team Friday after stopping the car they were riding in for speeding. The players face misdemeanor drug, gun and alcohol charges.

In a question and answer session with the media Saturday, Vols head coach Bruce Pearl not only apologized to fans but also to his colleague at Tennessee, legendary women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt.

"I texted Coach Summitt, and I said, ‘You’ve been here 30-something years to establish something here, and I apologize if we’ve tarnished it.’ That’s how I feel. I’ve got to be accountable. I think our guys feel the same way.”

Pat Summitt is 1,016-194 (.840) overall in her 36th season, all at UT.

The Lady Vols host No. 14 Oklahoma today in an ESPN2 televised game at 7 p.m. ET. It will be the final nonconference game for both teams. Oklahoma is the third of the four 2009 NCAA Final Four teams the Lady Vols face this season.

Photo: Tennessee Pat Summitt and Bruce Pearl in Knoxville, TN on Oct. 10, 2008 Photo via Newscom.  Content © 2010 Newscom All rights reserved.