It is not the kind of madness Arkansas Razorback fans have come to appreciate, but more along the lines of what they have learned to expect. "Does (fill in head coach name here) get another shot at winning next year?" I can assure you after the Hogs loss to Tennessee in the first round of the SEC Basketball Tournament questions will be raised. The criticism has been coming on Head Coach John Pelphrey all year long and is sure to keep coming after another 18-12 (7-9 SEC) season. Advertisements have been taken out in the state news paper. Blogs have ripped his coaching decisions, and online polls are not in his favor either.
Each year Pelphrey has coached at U of A, the basketball attendance numbers have fallen, from more than 17,000 in his first year to just above 12,000 this season. And know that Arkansas has long time been a fan of their basketball Razorbacks, routinely packing Bud Walton... when the product is worth going to see.
The one saving grace for Pelphrey is the top ten recruiting class he has coming in next year, though how he convinced one recruit to commit could be the final nail in his coffin. The basketball program is under investigation for a recruiting violation for this years class. Though most likely a secondary violation it may be just enough fot Athletic Director Jeff Long to pull the trigger.
I am not saying he will be gone next year for sure, though he does have a lot against him at this point in the fight. Arkansas has a history of giving extra chances to struggling coaches. Danny Ford, Houston Nutt, Stan Heath sound familiar? What I am saying is either way there is a gaurantee of some madness this month in Arkansas, just not the good kind.
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