I didn't want to start a new thread for this, but I think it fits here. I remember Jimmy Chitwood's awesome
conversation with Pelphrey and I wonder if he has thought of that since his firing.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/arkansas-fires-pelphrey-after-871252.html
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. â€" Arkansas fired basketball coach John Pelphrey
on Sunday and called a news conference to discuss the future of the
program.
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Arkansas coach John Pelphrey watches during the first half of an NCAA
college basketball game against Tennessee at the Southeastern Conference
tournament, Thursday, March 10, 2011, in Atlanta.</span></div></div>
Pelphrey was 69-59 in four seasons with the Razorbacks, including an
18-13 record this season. Arkansas lost to Tennessee in the opening
round of the Southeastern Conference tournament on Thursday.
Pelphrey replaced Stan Heath as coach of the Razorbacks in 2007-08
and finished 23-12. Arkansas advanced to the NCAA tournament that
season, defeating Indiana before losing to North Carolina.
The Razorbacks struggled in Pelphrey's next two seasons, winning 14
games in each. This season will mark the third straight year Arkansas
will miss the NCAA tournament.
Athletic director Jeff Long said in a statement that a national
search would begin immediately. The school called a 6 p.m. news
conference to address the program's future.
"After a thorough and comprehensive evaluation of our men's
basketball program, including an assessment of the overall
student-athlete experience within our program, it is clear that we have
not made the progress over the last four years that is necessary to
return Razorback basketball to a place of national relevance," Long
said.
Arkansas saw a steady decline in attendance in Pelphrey's four
seasons. The Razorbacks averaged 17,148 in his first season, 16,043 in
his second and 13,182 last year. This season, the school averaged 12,022
in 18 games in the 19,200-seat Bud Walton Arena.
During its national championship season of 1993-94, Arkansas averaged
20,134 at home. This season, the school drew a season-high 14,174 for
its game against Ole Miss in February.
Two weeks ago, following a home loss to Mississippi State that cost
the Razorbacks second place in the SEC West and a bye in the conference
tournament, an advertisement ran in the statewide Arkansas
Democrat-Gazette. The ad called for Razorback fans to contact university
officials "on the future of Arkansas basketball before too much times
passes."
It listed addresses for university officials, including the school's
Board of Trustees members. Pelphrey said at the time he wouldn't be
distracted by the ad. He won't have to worry about it after Sunday.