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Unlike Pearl, Pelphrey's crime could be costly

Posted on: March 10, 2011 10:39 am
Edited on: March 11, 2011 8:24 pm
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Posted by Matt Norlander

It’s not as bad as Bruce Pearl, but it’s definitely in the same ballpark.

And Arkansas coach John Pelphrey’s most likely going to lose his job over it. A photo. Another freaking photo. A photo that looks as harmless as the coach so wrongfully taking part in it.

At least Pelphrey didn't lie about it, unlike Pearl. But, to be fair, Pelphrey hasn't been in the same room with people from the NCAA and been given a chance to lie. Also, in his defense (?), Pelphrey did not invite recruits to his house and ask them to go forward and pretend it never happened.

There should be a new rule instituted, or at least a code amongst college basketball coaches: Unless there’s a blood relation, no more pictures taken with anyone under the age of 18. Ever. It’s best not to chance it. Because things like this happen. Things get out. Things are now always getting out, coaches, don't you know that? Yes, you do. Yet this still goes on. The temptation seems Teflon to consequences, no matter how harsh.

Amazing that Pelphrey not only breaks the rules and visits a couple of high school juniors, but then he willfully puts evidence out there. Only a matter of time, in this culture, until the no-no falls crosses the wrong eyes and gets in the wrong ears. The Arkansas coach couldn’t stay away, and now the Arkansas administration will have its hand forced. Or maybe guided, seeing how many believe Pelphrey’s a dead man walking, as is.

This seems to be the tipping point of Pelphrey's tenure.

The symbiosis of this, and how it's ironic as well, is Pelphrey had quite the 2011 recruiting coup. With a heralded class coming in, he was  believed to have at least two more years to turn ship in Fayetteville. But an 18-12 season and a 7-9 SEC record was apparently not enough to warrant him sticking around to reap the rewards of his apparently shady recruiting.

The irony here is unavoidable. Bruce Pearl still has a job for lying and covering up, and then breaking rules after confessing to his lying and cover-ups. Now, here comes Pelphrey, a fellow SEC coach who's probable to be cut loose from the Hogs for a crime far less egregious, but just as illegal.

Photo: AP
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Category: NCAAB
Tags: Arkansas, coaches, John Pelphrey, violations
 
Comments

Since: Mar 11, 2011
Posted on: March 11, 2011 2:58 pm
 

Unlike Pearl, Pelphrey's crime could be costly

Mr. NORLANDER,
I was in complete shock after reading your article. This is not even close to being in the same ballpark as Bruce Pearl. Bruce Pearl intentional did something wrong, and then covered it up and lied about it. John Pelphrey is allowed to go to high school basketball games, he unfortunately had a lapse of judgment and took a picture with the recurit(and had "a brief" conversation). For you to call it as being in the same ballpark as Pearl, is not only a misstatement of fact, but a complete disregard for the truth. This is the first time I have read one of your articles, for good reason, and it will be the last. Pelphrey's firing from Arkansas will have nothing to do with this minor violation, but more to do with him not winning games. I do not know who hired you at CBS sports, but your reporting is pathetic. A few more articles like the one above, and you will be reporting about junior high school games in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Look forward to your response.

Since: Mar 10, 2011
Posted on: March 10, 2011 1:19 pm
 

Unlike Pearl, Pelphrey's crime could be costly

You're messing with people's lives with your inaccurate, sensational reporting. Do the right thing and take this story down.

Since: Mar 10, 2011
Posted on: March 10, 2011 1:17 pm
 

Unlike Pearl, Pelphrey's crime could be costly

This was not a violation and you should take this article down immediately.

The document I’ve linked to below shows the recruiting calendar and defines acceptable evaluation sites as “all regularly scheduled high school, preparatory school and two-year college contests/tournaments, practices” so the “contact” isn’t actually considered to be “off campus.” Your interpretation of the rules would make going to a recruit’s away game off campus. You really need to get better at your job or you'll lose it, Mr. Sportswriter.

Since: Oct 16, 2007
Posted on: March 10, 2011 12:56 pm
 

Unlike Pearl, Pelphrey's crime could be costly

Pearl is a lying, cheating weasel. Pelphry (based on what's been reported so far) is just an idiot who should have said no to the request for the picture with the potential recruits. Nowhere near equivalent, but Pearl has been winning so he is forgiven for the much more serious infraction and for being dishonest and untrustworthy, Pelphry who has been losing will likely be fired.

Let's hope that karma takes over for Pearl and he misses the tournament this year and part of that really long leash the UT AD has given him (because clearly he's a weasel too) will be shortened and some time soon Pearl will be shown the door. I have to wonder whether UT's admin is just to stupid or too stubborn to learn. First they hire a cheater who has never been successful as a head coach anywhere (Lame Kiffin) and not only does he cheat and get UT in trouble he then gives UT the finger and goes off to USC after one year.

Now UT is keeping admitted lier and cheater Bruce Pearl around and as a result begging the NCAA to smack them harder for it. As Forest Gump once said, "stupid is as stupid does". With all the cheating going on at almost every major college program the NCAA is going to have to start getting tough and making an example of schools to slow the deserved criticism college atheletics and the NCAA are getting for cheating run amok. By keeping Pearl, UT is putting a big bullseye on their backs. We'll see if they reap what they are sowing.....

Since: Aug 24, 2006
Posted on: March 10, 2011 11:49 am
 

Unlike Pearl, Pelphrey's crime could be costly

I don't think he is saying that Pelphrey leaked the photo, but by agreeing to be in the picture with the recruits, he "willfully put evidence out there." 

Since: Mar 10, 2011
Posted on: March 10, 2011 11:44 am
 

Seriously??

This is nowhere close to the same ballpark as Bruce Pearl's infraction.  Pearl invited kids to HIS house.  Pel is watching a tourney, and a kid's mother tells them to go get a picture with him....not quite the same.  Also, are you sure Pelphrey is the person that released this photo?  I'll be honest, that certainly doesn't make sense.
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