Columnist: Pelphrey’s first season at UA ‘emotional’
Arkansas coach John Pelphrey’s first year at the University of Arkansas has been an emotional ride, says Mobile Press-Register columnist Neal McCready.
John Pelphrey, Vanderbilt-UA March 1
McCready pinpoints Pelphrey facing off against former mentor Billy Donovan, coaching mate Anthony Grant and his former team – the Kentucky Wildcats – as an emotional rollercoaster for the new head Hog.However, Pelphrey said he doesn’t feel overwhelmed at a big-time Southeastern Conference school like Arkansas.
“I feel like playing at Kentucky, working for Billy at Florida and the expectations of building a program and standing on my own two feet at South Alabama prepared me,” Pelphrey said. “I have not felt uncomfortable at Arkansas. I haven’t been overwhelmed by the level of talent, the excitement around the program or playing in the SEC with the best players and coaches in the game today. And I make it about the players, not about me. The game is about the players.”
Pelphrey admits to watching the Sun Belt standings and the continuing success at South Alabama, his first head coaching job, in the column.
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No biggie. But then there’s this little gem.
Pelphrey’s brutal honesty might rub some wrong in the locker room, but it has struck a chord in the Natural State.
No doubt. Fans love the man’s demeanor and the media here — me included — love his soundbytes. But maybe some of the players don’t like being yelled at in Fayetteville?
Yeah, I’m not even going to touch that one.
What do you think Hog fans?
3 Responses to “Columnist: Pelphrey’s first season at UA ‘emotional’”
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To tag on to Coach Pelphrey’s bit about chicken nuggets I believe the correct response from him should be to tell these student athletes to “Sit down, shut up, and color.” This group as a team should win a national championship in “underachievement.” I believe that the hiring of Coach Pelphrey is a breath of fresh air. Sadly he seems to care more for the state, the university, and what it means to be a Razorback than the team as a whole. I realize that this isn’t politically correct but hey it is the real world so grow up. I hope the team makes it to the NCAA’s because Coach Pelphrey has done one hell of a great job this year and he deserves it. Just wish the team would have done the same.
Keep on them, PEL. Get in their grill. You inherited a “talented” group of [senior] underachievers who were allowed to do their own thing under Stan Heath. Slacker ball has no place in hog land.
Starting next year, once you get your own talented players, who buy into your love for the Razorbacks and tough mentality, the program will rise again.
I am very happy you landed in Fayetteville and hope you stay for a really long time. GO HOGS!
Hang in there Pel. Help these Seniors understand this is their last chance at the best days of their lives. So, they should want to make it count for themselves, you, and the fans. It has been a long dry spell. Go Hogs!
Let’s win, win, win in Atlanta. You can do it.