You’re invited to the Pelphrey-Donovan reunion
Dear Friend,
You’re cordially invited this Saturday to view one of the hottest storylines in the Southeastern Conference. Arkansas coach John Pelphrey and Florida coach Billy Donovan will bring their basketball teams to Bud Walton Arena for a 2:05 p.m. tip-off that is set to be filled with emotion — if not, at least, dozens of stories in newspapers across the country riddled with pre-game hype.
As some may know, the first-year Arkansas coach served on Donovan’s coaching staff from 1997 to 2002, where he helped the Gators reach the national championship in 2000. Before the Florida stint, Pelphrey was an assistant at Marshall from 1995 to 1997 on Donovan’s staff.
The two — through years of coaching together — have a great connection, and both share admiration for one another.
“Billy is probably the most influential man in my life besides my father,” Pelphrey said Thursday morning.
Pelphrey recalled working on Donovan’s staff, and the camaraderie the coaches had before and after games and practices while at the University of Florida. The staff, Pelphrey said, was always hanging out with each other, going to movies and dinner.
“When that whole thing started out, we didn’t do anything that wasn’t [with] us together,” he said.
The Arkansas coach later said, “It was just ripping and running. It was just us. We were all we had.”
The time spent together certainly has helped the two — along with other former Donovan assistants like Anthony Grant — professionally. Pelphrey — who has coached with or played for coaches like Donovan, Eddie Sutton and Rick Pitino — made a mark at South Alabama before arriving in Fayetteville this season.
Pelphrey gets his chance to make another mark on Saturday if he can beat his mentor and the SEC East Division leaders. A Razorback win, coupled with the foundation that was laid in the 78-58 blowout of Mississippi State last night, should provide a lot of headway for the Hogs to receive an NCAA Tournament bid.
Emotion will be high Saturday for the former coaching duo, Pelphrey said.
“When the ball goes up on Saturday, any affection we have for each other is just going to make it more intense in wanting to win.”
Fun fact: Did you know Pelphrey named his daughter after his Florida mentor? Her name is Ann-Marie Grace Donovan.
6 Responses to “You’re invited to the Pelphrey-Donovan reunion”
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Coach Pel is definitely a keeper and the best is yet to come, Razorback fans.
His incoming class for next year is suppose to be extremely talented. Give this dude his own players for his style of basketball and championship banners will fly again.
I agree with dwp007……….I believe Coach Pel is doing the best he can, with players who don’t “fit” his style of play! For one thing, the Hogs do not have a true point guard, and that is a big drawback! Coach Pel has some HOSS HOGS coming , who can shoot and pass!
I have seen definite improvement with this team, and I believe Coach Pel’s “tough love” has a lot to do with that!!!! You can see that he cares about the young men and He’s just trying to get them TO GIVE 110 % EFFORT, ALL THE TIME!!!!………..and they’re getting pretty darn close! ROOT HOG or DIE!!!!!!!!!!!
i agree.Pel is the best we have had in yrs.Get a real point guard (not a reject from MS) an watch this team explode.He is a great coach who will not take the players crap like Heath.He will give us a NC if we can keep him long enough.Go Hogs Go
I agree Hog fans, this guys seems to be making all the right moves. Think were going to get much the same with Petrino. GO HOGS
Coach Pel will stick around. There is an article today entitled “In the Lane” and apparently Pel’s folks are in hog town from the MSU through the Ole Miss game. His dad is quoted raving about NW Arkansas being the “best kept secret” in the country. Dad goes on to say that he and the wife could “settle down” in the area.
In a couple of years the Razorbacks wlll be playing for the final 4, if not a national title.
[...] for another update on the Donovan-John Pelphrey love fest, I think Pelphrey summed up the focus everyone has had on their past best in a text message he sent [...]