Arkansas May Finally Have a Coach

Not even Monday yet, so much for taking the full weekend off. It would appear that Arkansas has made another move to hire a basketball coach (whether he stays longer then a day...).

South Alabama coach John Pelphrey, who played in the SEC at Kentucky and has led the Jaguars to consecutive 20-win seasons, will be introduced as the Razorbacks head coach at a news conference at 3 p.m. ET on Monday, according to sources close to the situation.

Pelphrey, 38, was an assistant at Florida and helped his best friend, Gators coach Bill Donovan, build the program in Gainesville. Pelphrey took over the job at South Alabama in 2002 and is 80-67 in his five years at the helm.

Pelphrey had turned down the University of South Florida a couple weeks ago. Pelphrey may not be the big name hire that Arkansas was shooting for. He may not be the biggest name in the mid-major rankings as Dana Altman was.

Pelphrey, though is an up-and-comer in the coaching ranks. Plus his style of play is what the Razorback faithful may find comfortingly familiar.

Louisville coach Rick Pitino offered a simple solution.

"If they want that style of play, they should go after John Pelphrey of South Alabama," Pitino said. "He presses and runs the whole game and does a great job with it."

"That style of play," is the Nolan Richardson "40 minutes of hell." So, at least they have that going for them.

Previously at Fanhouse:
Easter Holiday for the Coaching Carousel
And the Hits Just Keep Coming On Arkansas
Is Dana Altman Leaving The Hogs At The Altar?