Arkansas Basketball: Rumors And Changes
March 16th, 2010 ║ Posted By: John Pennington ║ Permalink ║ Tags: Arkansas
Arkansas officially announced yesterday that assistant coach Isaac Brown was being re-assigned to an administrative position on John Pelphrey’s coaching staff. Fellow assistants Rob Evans and Tom Ostrom will continue in their current roles.
UA announced the move in a press release yesterday. And Pelphrey vowed to turn things around in Fayetteville.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to improving our program, I believe these changes will result in the development of both a stronger coaching and support staff,” Pelphrey said in the release. That’s quite the kick to the groin for Brown isn’t it?
“After making my recommendation, Jeff Long assisted me in creating this opportunity. I appreciate the support of our administration and their continued assistance in providing our basketball program the resources and the opportunity to succeed. I appreciate what Isaac Brown has brought to our program and look forward to working with him in his new administrative role.”
“On the court, while we have had some success, our coaches and student-athletes understand the expectations of the Razorback program is to compete for championships and win consistently in the Southeastern Conference and nationally. We will continue to work every day in all facets of our program to meet those expectations.”
Meanwhile, the release underscores the fact that athletic director Jeff Long remains patient with his head coach. “We have asked John and his staff to do more than win basketball games, we have asked them to build a program on and off the court of which our University and supporters can be proud. This process will take additional time.”
Rumors continue to swirl about who will replace Brown on the Hogs’ bench… and about more potential moves.
An Arkansas television station has reported that former Alabama coach Mark Gottfried (now with ESPN) and former Texas Tech coach James Dickey would be joining the Razorbacks shortly.
“I have absolutely no idea where that got started,” Gottfried said of the report.
And Gottfried wasn’t the only person shooting down rumors yesterday.
UA guard Rotnei Clarke said in a statement last night that it was never his intention to leave the Razorbacks, despite a television report that suggested otherwise.
“Contrary to a local television station report over the weekend that I was ’seriously considering’ transferring, I wanted to make clear to the Razorback fans that I will return to play basketball for the University of Arkansas next season.”
The apparent lesson? Don’t get your news from Arkansas television stations.
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