Gettin' hot out there for Arkansas' Pelphrey
Posted: Friday, September 11, 2009 3:26 PM
Filed Under:
Coaches, SEC
It’s not summer heat John Pelphrey’s feeling in Arkansas. That’s good ol’ fashioned job pressure.
Any grace Pelphrey earned during his first season in Fayetteville (a 23-12 record and NCAA tourney berth) is quickly disappearing. His team dropped to 16-14 last season – ending on a 2-15 skid! – and has dealt with some serious attrition issues.
More fuel for the fire came when former guard Patrick Beverley said he had a paper written for him while in school. And, earlier this season, the NCAA notified the program that its academic-progress rate was too low.
The latest mess?
Chuck Burton/AP |
John Pelphrey
|
Three players were recently investigated for allegedly raping a woman at a party. They won’t face any charges, but it’s the kind of news that only hurts a team, especially when it has other issues.
A knuckleheaded move by point guard Courtney Fortson, only ensures the story sticks around. He made light of the rape allegations in a recent Tweet. “Im getting it at workouts like a dude who doesn’t understand the word no from a drunk girl lol.” He may be disciplined for the Tweet. No word if anyone is giving him lessons in good taste.
It raises the big question: Just what is going on at Arkansas?
As Gary Parrish wrote Thursday, the player attrition and up-and-down seasons are one thing. But the rape allegations are no joke, especially with recruiting. How does Pelphrey address the situation with parents? How long will it remain a story among prospects and their parents?
The cynic would rightly point out that none of this would matter as much if the Hogs were a national contender. Few things are easier to ignore that a winning program’s fault, especially by school officials.
Through all this mess, Arkansas’ chancellor gave Pelphrey a boost, calling him the man who is “going to turn it around.”
That’s not going to be easy. Arkansas is bad, and the SEC is going to be stocked with big fish next season in Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida and Miss State.
Maybe Pelphrey should start burnishing that résumé.
