In 2011 students and members of the community strongly favored retaining Bruce Pearl as head coach of the men’s basketball team. A demonstration was held on campus the weekend before the May 21 firing of Pearl, and the Rock had a constant series of messages of support for Pearl—and an equal number calling for the firing of Athletics Director Mike Hamilton. After consistently indicating that Pearl would be retained, Hamilton said in a radio interview with ESPN the day before the Vols were to play their second game in the NCAA tournament (against Michigan) that it was unclear whether Pearl would be the coach in 2012, rattling the players and incensing fans, who were outraged at both the timing and the message. Facebook pages calling for Hamilton’s firing, comments in articles in various newspapers, and many paintings of the Rock ensued. Hamilton apologized for the timing of his remarks, but students and fans were not appeased.