Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long has wavered publicly in his support for coach John Pelphrey this season.
That didn’t change minutes after the Razorbacks’ 78-69 loss to Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Tournament on Thursday night.
“I said it. I said it back before we won five-straight games. And I said it after we lost five-straight games,” Long said regarding his support of Pelphrey. “It’s not where we want it to be. We’re working hard to get it to there. It’s going to take time to get it there. And John and his staff are working hard to do that.”
The Razorbacks ended the season with a six-game losing streak, which is the longest to end a year in school history. It also wrapped up the school’s second-straight losing season under Pelphrey. Arkansas reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament during Pelphrey’s first season, but have struggled since. The Razorbacks are now 28-34 in the past two years and that includes a 9-23 record in SEC games. And an 0-2 mark in the Southeastern Conference Tournament.
Long was sitting in the back of the interview room when Pelphrey spoke about the Georgia loss and reflected on a season in which the Razorbacks spent time leading the SEC West before a late-season collapse. Long also spent a couple of minutes speaking to Pelphrey privately immediately after the coach left the stage.
While at the podium, Pelphrey spoke about the direction of the program after the loss tonight and said Arkansas will continue to build in the offseason through recruiting and player development. Later, he spoke about Long’s support through the past two seasons.
“He has always made me feel like he wishes he had hired me,” said Long, who was hired by former Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles. “I appreciate that from him. and Chancellor (David) Gearhart. You know, this is a situation I feel very fortunate to have. I know where we’re going to be and I’m excited about it.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of stuff in terms of levels of things that you look at, short term, long term, in between, what’s going to happen tomorrow. All those types of things. Whether it be playing or recruiting or personal improvement for the guys you’ve got. Make no mistake about that big picture. We know where we’re going to be.”
