By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas announced Monday that men’s basketball assistant Isaac Brown has been re-assigned to an administrative position on John Pelphrey’s staff.
Meanwhile, Pelphrey’s two other assistant coaches — Rob Evans and Tom Ostrom — will continue to work in their current roles with the Razorbacks.
The news was issued in a press release, which quoted Pelphrey and athletic director Jeff Long a few days after the Razorbacks’ season ended with a loss to Georgia in the first round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament. It wrapped up a 14-18 season for the Hogs, which was the program’s second-straight losing year.
“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 university statement.
“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.”
Pelphrey — who was not available for further comment Monday — will begin the search for a new assistant coach to replace Brown immediately. Evans and Ostrom will continue to work under contracts still set to expire June 30, according to an Arkansas spokesperson.
It’s not clear who Pelphrey will target as a new assistant coach, although a television station reported earlier in the day that both former Alabama coach Mark Gottfried and former Texas Tech head coach James Dickey would be working with the Razorbacks next season.
When contacted Monday, Gottfried told the Arkansas News Bureau the report was inaccurate.
“I have absolutely no idea where that got started,” said Gottfried, whose father, Joe Gottfried was the athletic director at South Alabama and hired Pelphrey in 2003.
Dickey could not be reached for comment Monday.
In addition to the staff announcements, Pelphrey also issued a release reinforcing his commitment to improving the program after a disappointing year.
Pelphrey and Long met Sunday night as part of an annual program review meeting. The school said all aspects of the program were discussed during the meeting.
“As a program, we have worked proactively and decisively to make fundamental changes in the expectations of our student-athletes,” Pelphrey said in the statement. “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.”
Long expressed more support for Pelphrey, too, after meeting the with coach Sunday.
“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.”
The press release comes while vocal supporters have vented their frustrations with the program on radio shows and Internet message boards. In addition, an advertisement that appeared in the Sunday edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette urged upset supporters to submit their concerns to Long, UA president B. Alan Sugg, chancellor David Gearhart and Board of Trustees members.
Arkansas highlighted Pelphrey’s three-year record with the Razorbacks (51-46) in Monday’s press release, comparing his winning percentage (.526) to that of the first three seasons of former coaches Stan Heath (.453) and Nolan Richardson (.571).
It also highlighted Pelphrey’s first year with the Razorbacks in which he won 23 games and led the Hogs to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. And the release pointed out Arkansas’ five-game win streak in 2010, which was the school’s longest in the SEC since 1998.
“John has taken steps to bolster discipline and foster a recommitment to academics and character in our program,” Long said. “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.”
