FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas issued a press release stating head coach John Pelphry will retain Rob Evans and Tom Ostrom as assistant basketball coaches, and confirmed that assistant coach Isaac Brown will be re-assigned to an administrative role within the program.
Arkansas athletics director Jeff Long also expressed his continued support of Pelphrey as the Razorbacks head basketball coach.
"After meeting and discussing in detail all areas of our men's basketball program, I continue to believe Coach Pelphrey understands what it takes to build our program to the level of our high expectations and is working extremely hard to do so." Long said. "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.
"In his tenure, John has taken steps to bolster discipline and foster a recommitment to academics and character in our program. He understands that the strength of a program is based on developing those traits in student-athletes on the basketball court, in the classroom and in life.
"Coach Pelphrey also understands the University of Arkansas' commitment to athletic success specifically the importance of winning basketball games. He has embraced the history and tradition of Razorback Basketball since his arrival and feels a tremendous personal responsibility to return our program to the levels that we all desire on the court. We will continue to assist Coach Pelphrey and his staff as they work towards success in accomplishing all of these goals."
Pelphrey said the retention of Evans and Ostrom along with the re-assignment of Brown is what is best for the program going forward.
"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 says. "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."
Evans, Ostrom and Brown's contracts are up June 30. While all three remain on Arkansas' staff, any or all of them could take jobs elsewhere. Evans, 63, was the head coach at Ole Miss (1993-98) and at Arizona State (1999-2006) before joining Pelphrey's staff.
Pelphrey met with Long on Sunday to hold their annual review of the program in which they discussed all aspects of the program, according to the release.
"As the head coach of the Razorback men's basketball program, I remain committed to taking steps to foster improvement in all aspects of this program both on and off the court," Pelphrey says. "As a program, we have worked proactively and decisively to make fundamental changes in the expectations of our student-athletes. Many of those lessons have been difficult as the repercussions of decisions made by individuals have adversely affected the entire team. A member of the Razorback men's basketball program will maintain a commitment to academic and athletic success while representing the University of Arkansas in an appropriate manner.
"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."
Former Alabama head basketball coach Mark Gottfried and former Texas Tech head basketball coach James Dickey's names have been linked to the opening at Arkansas. Pelphrey has connections to both Dickey and Gottfried.
Pelphrey worked for Gottfried's father, Joe, as South Alabama's head basketball coach from 2003-007. Joe Gottfried resigned from his position at South Alabama last August.
Gottfried coached Alabama from 1998-2009 where he was 83-82. He has spent the last year as a color commentator on regional basketball television broadcasts.
Dickey helped Eddie Suton recruit Pelphrey to Kentucky before he became an assistant head coach (1990-91) and later head coach at Texas Tech (1991-2001). Dickey worked as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State from 1992-2008 and was key in the recruitment of Junction City native James Anderson to Stillwater. Okla.
