OHN PELPHREY TIMELINE
April 9, 2007 — Arkansas hires John Pelphrey to replace Dana Altman as its basketball coach. Altman was hired to replace Stan Heath, but bolted after a two days.
Oct. 27, 2007 — With players suspended for violations of team rules, Pelphrey suits up for Arkansas’ Red-White scrimmage. Pelphrey scored three points in eight minutes.
Nov. 9, 2007 — Pelphrey picks up his first win with the Razorbacks during Arkansas’ 67-45 win against Wofford.
March, 16 2008 — The Razorbacks play in the SEC Tournament championship game against Georgia one day after Steven Hill’s buzzer beater to beat Tennessee. The Razorbacks lose in the final for the second straight year.
March 21, 2008 — Pelphrey guides Arkansas to first NCAA Tournament win in nine years with an 86-72 win against Indiana. Arkansas loses in the second round.
August 2008 — Guard Patrick Beverley, the team’s top returning player, is dismissed from the program. Beverley later reveals he was dismissed for cheating on a paper.
Dec. 30, 2008 — The Razorbacks, with a new-look roster that includes point guard Courtney Fortson and guard Rotnei Clarke, notches one of the biggest wins in Pelphrey’s tenure by beating No. 4 Oklahoma 96-88.
Jan. 6, 2009 — Arkansas turns in its second stunner in the span of eight days, beating No. 7 Texas 67-61 in Bud Walton Arena. The win pushes the Razorbacks to 12-1.
March 1, 2009 — The program celebrates the 15-year anniversary of the national championship, inviting Nolan Richardson back to Bud Walton Arena for the first time since he was fired in 2002. The Razorbacks, who struggled in SEC play, respond with a win against Georgia.
March 12, 2009 — Arkansas suffers a 73-58 loss to Florida in the SEC Tournament, finishing the season with a 14-16 record. It included a program-worst 2-14 in SEC play.
Sept. 9, 2009 — Reports reveal three Razorbacks (Marcus Britt, Glenn Bryant and Nick Mason) were being investigated for sexual assault of a female student during an on-campus party on Aug. 27. Prosecutors soon announce no charges will be filed and a special prosecutor reaffirms the decision in December.
Nov. 10, 2009 — Arkansas announces suspensions for five players for various issues. The list includes Courtney Fortson (14 games), Stefan Welsh (three), Marcus Britt (six), Glenn Bryant (two) and Nick Mason (fall semester).
Nov. 11, 2009 — Guard Rotnei Clarke scores a school-record 51 points, leading a suspension-depleted lineup with only six available scholarship players to a 130-68 win against Alcorn State in the season opener.
March 11, 2009 — Arkansas wraps up its second straight losing season with a 77-64 loss to Georgia in the SEC Tournament. The Razorbacks — who started slow because of the suspensions — were 14-12, 7-4 in SEC play before collapsing down the stretch to lose six straight.
April, 21, 2009 — Courtney Fortson’s up-and-down Arkansas career ends when the guard hires an agent. Fortson’s departure makes Clarke the only remaining member of Pelphrey’s six-man 2008 signing class still on campus.
Nov. 12, 2010 — East Poinsett County’s Ky Madden signs a national-letter-of-intent, completing Arkansas’ five-man 2011 signing class. The group is regarded as one of the nation’s best, bringing promise for the program’s future.
Jan. 4, 2011 — Arkansas, the same day as the football team plays Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl, suffers one of the worst losses of Pelphrey’s tenure at Texas. The Longhorns beat the Razorbacks 79-46.
Feb. 14, 2011 — Pelphrey gives a passionate plea with rumors swirling about his job status during a Valentine’s Day press conference. Pelphrey explains his love for Arkansas and belief the program is improving.
Feb. 23, 2011 — Arkansas beats Kentucky 77-76 in overtime in Bud Walton Arena. It marks the program’s first win against Kentucky in 10 years and also signals Pelphrey’s first win against alma mater in four tries.
March 10, 2011 — A CBSSports.com report reveals Pelphrey committed an NCAA violation after obtaining a picture of the coach posing for a picture with two Sylvan Hills High juniors, including highly touted Archie Griffin. The Razorbacks say they are looking into the situation, but believe it classifies as a secondary infraction.
March 10, 2011 — The Razorbacks, who trailed by 16 points in the second half, rallied to tie Tennessee before eventually falling 74-68 in the first round of the SEC Tournament. It was Arkansas’ third straight loss and Pelphrey declined to comment about his future afterward.
March 12, 2011 — Pelphrey, despite growing speculation about his job status, appears in Summit Arena in Hot Springs to watch two of his signees (Hunter Mickelson and Aaron Ross) competing in state championships.
March 13, 2011 — Arkansas announces it has fired Pelphrey after four seasons with the program. He finished 69-59 in his career with a 25-39 mark in SEC play.
— Robbie Neiswanger • Arkansas News Bureau
