At 10:17 p.m. on Monday night, the U of A issued a statement from Rotnei Clarke:
“Contrary to a local television station report over the weekend that I was ‘seriously considering’ transferring, I wanted to make clear to the Razorback fans that I will return to play basketball for the University of Arkansas next season.”
Afterwards, of course, the folks at KNWA felt the need to defend their honor for breaking the “strongly considering” story, stating that their reporting was based on “fact.” They have alleged that the University has “spun” the message.
This is crazy stuff. Even the RazorBloggers know that comments made out of frustration after the embarrassing end to a game or season shouldn’t be reported, well-sourced or not. If every time a solid source brought me news that Peyton Hillis said something about transferring while in a state of frustration, I would have worn myself out writing blog posts.
While the majority of the media that follow Razorback sports seem to do so with a fair bit of journalistic integrity, there are some that need to give a bit more consideration to what they are doing. TV stations aligning with message boards and reporters viewing Twitter as personal commentary rather than as media commentary are areas that need to be examined.
I do get it. We have bright new ribbon boards while the National Championship pictures in the concourse of Bud Walton have faded to the point of embarrassment. There is a frustration among the fans and the media that Jeff Long is being totally tone deaf regarding the state of the basketball program.
Unfortunately, a 48 hour plus news cycle about supposed comments made by a frustrated basketball player only serves to distract from the real issues surrounding the basketball program. Reporting on smoke does little to tell the story of the fire.
The program is doing a terrible job of communicating to the fans about what’s going on, what the really important things being managed are, and painting any type of hope for the future. Silence is not golden. Even when John Pelphrey says something…he says little.
Besides the record-setting six game losing streak at the end of the season, the Hogs have a PR disaster going on and don’t even seem to know what to do about it other than issuing statements and upping Bobby Petrino’s visibility level.
Jeff Long is rapidly developing a huge credibility gap regarding Razorback basketball. There’s a concern among the fan base that the combination of Jeff Long and John Pelphrey constitutes a real life example of the blind leading the blind.
John Pelphrey can’t answer the question of what type of identity he wants for his basketball program in any type of concise fashion. Can Jeff Long tell us his expectations for the program next year or into the future without quickly bringing up the subject of money? Is this program going to be better next year or not? If so, how? Why?
This is the time for some serious, in-depth, reflective, and forward-looking journalism on the subject of Razorback basketball. “You don’t need a weatherman to tell which way the wind blows.”
Pip pip!
Dana Altman deserves serious consideration for The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. He was the third best Razorbacks coach of the modern era, known for wonderfully def, quick decision making.
I don't know which line I like better; the blind leading the blind or the weatherman. Great Work!!! Thanks.
You do have to feel for them a little. They would have to eat a fair size bucket of crow to get back to square one and start talking straight. The real question is, do they even know how?
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows——-a well placed, "BLAST FROM THE PAST"!
We need new uniforms and matching sleeves for Rotnei.
Pel needs a Tailor or someone to buy him Garanimals so he will know that matches.
Sanchez needs Bionic Feet.
We need shoes from Nike that are platform so our Guards can look eye to eye with the opponents.
We need Rotnei to take 5 hour energy shots before the games to speed him up.
We need Courtney to take anti-depressants to slow his thought process down to match the rest of the Team.
I think we can purchase all those things and implement them and we are good for an NIT appearance next year and that would be improvement.
Amen, HogBlogger!!!
Let's pray that the U of A Athletic department somehow has the wisdom to see these points and do something about them. I will be continuing my basketball pledge to the Razorback Foundation and will buy my season tickets because I'm heavily invested in them. But I know numerous smart people who are not going to do either because they don't like how the program is being run, don't see hope for improvements of any kind, and don't want to waste their money on a poorly run program. Razorback basketball appears to be very sick and could be terminal. This is very sad to me.
Ticket sales is the only language they understand.
Nice post, dudes.
Good commentary. I wonder if the Athletic Department has thought about this: The two most admired and respected persons they have on staff are Bobby Petrino and Dave Van Horn. Neither of these guys does anything but shoot straight with the media and fans. If their teams play like crap, they're the first ones to say it.
Fans appreciate that and are smart enough to see past all else.
Sunshine
P.S. – for those younger RBN readers, Bob Dylan was a rock/folk music artist from the early 60's, who achieved some level of critical acclaim.
Well said…. I'm glad logic is not lost on every fan of the pig
Nice post. I think this is one of the down sides of our current thirst for instant information due to the advent of the internet age. On one hand, access to information has never been so robust, but this leads to lack of fact checking sources and general due diligence.
Who knows what the real truth is, but the reaction of KNWA is laughable, and is something a jr. high school journalist would do. Thank goodness ESPN hasn't caught on to this or else it would just further damage the credibility of the fine state of Arkansas. Folks outside of the state already see us as one step above Mississippi anyway.
Regarding the PR nightmare, I would tend to agree. But it's from the perspective of the public, which is the audience that is important of course. I think this will be sorted out over time, problem is, people want information and solutions now (see above comment) – which is unrealistic IMHO. I think what is missing in your post is that regardless of the depth of communication, unless Pelphrey is canned most folks will not be satisfied. If he outlines his 'vision' for the program most will see flaws in it. When Long communicates his support of Pelphrey folks are unhappy. It's a losing situation no matter what is communicated or how a journalist spins it.
Unfortuately for everyone, we have to wait until next season to see how this plays out.
My thought is that if Pel and Long do layout what they'd like done, then the public is aware of what they're accountable for. I think the public gets tired of "there's a plan in place." If so, tell us what "the plan" is.
If the plan is to continue recruiting better kids and working hard, well, surely they can make something sound more intelligent than that.
Soup, I for one appreciate your willingness to come here and take the opposite, AD, position. It is good to have both sides of the argument, or, at least see the excuses fleshed out with a little meat on them.
I don't thing critisism if much of excuse. They certainly are taking a beating for all the spin. If Long supports Pelphry he should know why. He should be able to address the issues as they stand today without spinning out a bunch of hooie from three years ago.
Long could actually acknowledge that blowing the most important recruiting class in ten years has cost Pelphry support and probably the fifth year he might have gotten otherwise but that he has learned from that mistake and made great improvement since then.
Certainly there are a lot of issues concerning the players that are off limits no matter what. But, there is a big difference between throwing kids under the bus and calling your team out publicly, as a team, and offering honest criticism and holding them accountable or setting goals.
Pelphry could say that he is recruiting to a style of play, or, recruiting the best athletes available and adapting to them. And say what that is. He says he wants a 'chaotic' style of play but, so far, he hasn't recruited players which look like they can play that style. If you make statements besides 'we don't play that well' or 'time to go back to work' then you have opened a dialoque. And, yes, now you are accountable for making those statements come true. But, that is not critisism, that is simply having a plan and living up to it.
If there are issues with Stan and Frank and White, there are ways to address that without naming names. If the hole is that deep, offer some insight.
Frank told us we were never going to be any good, take the money, shut up, and enjoy an upset every now and again. It cost him his job but, that didn't make him wrong. Bobby is going to show us if he was right. All the spinners say Arkansas Basketball is untouchable. That's OK if it is the truth. But, we don't have to watch crap. There are answers to why these guys can't play basketball. That is all the fans are really asking. So you can't beat Duke, fine. Why can't you score 2 points in five minutes? There is a reasonable, adult answer to that question that doesn't call for excuses or blaming someone.
This is not fear of criticism. It looks like a complete absence of accountability. This is the second time in 3 years the fans have been told it is not their program and been blamed for the mistakes of others. The only thing wrong with the fans is that they love sport more than the so-called athletic department. It ain't life and death. It is few lucky guys making a ton of money on the backs of some kids trying to get an education or a big meal ticket. That money comes from the fans, no one else, and they are entitled to a little more respect.
Hear Hear..
The truth will set you free. Just shoot us straight. Please tell us you have a plan, and what it is. We have had these set backs, but here is exactly what we are going to do. I believe it will work. You may not, but we are the leaders of this program, we were hired to do this job to the best of our ability, and this is my plan to lead this program forward.
Quit the spin and the hoo-hah.
I don't think he could articulate what brand of toilet paper he uses and why.
He is as vague as a consultant who doesn't know what he is selling.
lol…I don't think I could articulate why I use the toilet paper I use…but I'll give it some thought.
I anticipate we'll hear specifics from Pel on Friday. I'm anxious to read how you comment on that. I'm sure after hearing his plan and committments you will be supportive – since you just want to hear his plan and all is better in your world.
Sarcasm aside, after reading your posts for the last 4 weeks, I seriously doubt you will agree with Pel's vision and plan. So what's the point?
I believe that was called ACCOUNTABILITY.
Dude it is a discussion board not a consensus board.
I see no discipline in the way his team plays offense or defense. I do not see where most of his players even look to him for guidance. He has had three years with some of these kids. What is going to change? I am waiting for him to be specific and then he puts himself on the line and has to take accountability. Something he should have done long ago.
Exactly opinionated. I thought we were having discussion.
"So whats the point?"
It's about winning and nothing else. You can say its about the communication but until they win all forthcoming communication will be construed as "spin". I'm not sure what was meant uptop about blowing the most important class of the last 10 years. Enlighten me.
I am as upset as anyone about the state of basketball. I grew up going to Barnhill and it pains me to see the apathy that has set in with the fanbase as a result of losing hope. Having said all of that, Pel is our coach for one more year and negativity doesn't help our program. When we make a change, I'll support that but for now I'll support our team. Go Hogs and bring on Spring Football.
I THINK they're referring to the upcoming 2011 Arkansas triplets — Ky Madden, Hunter Mickelson and Aaron Ross. Which hasn't been blown, since Ross has signed (with us) and the other two haven't signed anywhere else.
I was referring to the six scholarship class where he lost 4 the first year and is about to lose another. It was supposedly a top ten national class. Losing half your team, your first real recruiting class is a major blow. That is why everyone is saying it is really like his second year. He completely wasted his first.
BYU & Murray State???
Anybody else waiting until to the Tournament to see how far down the SEC was this year?
I'm shocked at Murry State, but not FL. I can't beleive they were selected ahead of Miss St.
I be think Nolan shud be back to coach the team. He be runin and he be pressin and he be jumpin and shootin and he be winnin to. He be a good coach and he have good players to. He be able to do what the rest of them caint do and he be DA MAN.
You were right Soup. No one is really going to be happy with those "specifics."
One Question: Can you imagine Petrino or Van Horn coming out with that rambling, meanlingless, drivel. "We have a plan, we are going to work hard, and get better."
Go ahead and give him more time if you want. Arkansas is the 14th most valuable basketball program in America for those dividing the cash. That is all the AD cares about.
Niether Petrino or Van Horn took over the mess Pelphrey tackeled.
Say what you want. Those are the facts.
CJP took over a program in disarray, did just as well in his 1st year with someone elses underachievers as anyone could ask for, and did the best he could with what he had the rest of the way out.
So big deal, he lost the majority of his 1st real recruiting class.
I suppose you blame him for their personal issues? They were talented weren't they? They didn't buy in to his system. That isn't his fault, 'nough said.
He's just now finding his rythem in recruiting the right players. That means talent AND character.
Currently, he's been battling early season disapline issues, youth, and lack of depth. Is there anything else that really needs to be said?
I can't wait for next season to get here. Lot's of people will be adding crow to their diet.
Yes, I believe that they will.
He is battling discipline issues with players he recruited. The guys that left are guys he recruited. So yeah, that is on him.
You are right Houston left the shelves chock full of talent and so did Norm DeBrien.
I will literally eat crow if he is a better Coach next year.
It's funny how CBP can kick a very talented Jr. LB and 2 Sr. D-linemen players off his team before and during a 5-7 1st year campaign, and still be praised as the Messiah of Razorback football.
He may not have recruited those players, but the message was still the same message CJP sends to his players. Either get on board or get out.
CJP is finally just now able to develope relationships with players over a good period of time, leading up to their Sr. years in high school.
He doesn't have the luxery of a John Calipari or a Jim Behiem to just throw his name out there and attract talent. He has to build, they don't. They've already done that.
It's really too bad some fans are reluctant to allow CJP that leway.
I heard someeone mention one day that CJP signed both Sanchez and Britt, as if that somehow mean't something in regard to his inept recruiting.
First of all, Sanchez doesn't play anymore, so there aren't any facts available that allow us to observe what kind of progress or regression he made under CJP from year 1 to year 2.
Also, just the fact he wasn't there added to the frontcourt depth issues starring us in the face all year. Was that CJP's fault too?
Britt is no superstar, but to blame his recruiting on CJP would be insane.
Pel signed a class with his entry of accepting the head coaching position. There was little to no recruiting that late in the game. He did what anyone else would have done. Sign who was already on board. End of story.
I've got a real good recipe for some crow soup brewing as we speak OBH. You'll love it.
Obviously, the biggest issue is that the impact from losing one scholarship player is much greater in basketball than football or baseball.