UA hires Search Firm

The University of Arkansas hires Parker Exective Search out of Atlanta to help in its quest to hire a new head basketball coach.

FAYETTEVILLE -- For a week, Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles handled the search for a new basketball coach on his own.

But school officials have decided to get some outside help after Dana Altman made the unexpected decision Tuesday to return to Creighton around 24 hours after accepting the Arkansas job.

Arkansas announced Wednesday that it has hired Parker Executive Search, an Atlanta-based firm, to assist the school in its attempts to find Stan Heath's replacement.

Parker Executive Search, which will be paid $90,000 plus expenses from The Razorback Foundation for its services, has been a part of several high-profile coaching hires over the past few weeks.

The consulting firm helped lure former Kentucky coach Tubby Smith to Minnesota, and coincidentally, the company is working with UK to find Smith's replacement.

"I'm quite certain that we will secure an outstanding coach very soon," B. Alan Sugg, president of the University of Arkansas System, said in a statement released through the school.

Stanley Reed, chairman of Arkansas' board of trustees, had no comment when reached at his home Wednesday night.

According to Parker Executive Search's Web site, the firm understands "the complexities involved in collegiate athletic searches, including the high expectations and demands of various constituency groups and the management of public perception."

That includes conducting extensive background checks on candidates, speaking to athletic contacts and maintaining "complete confidentiality throughout the search process."

A call Wednesday evening to Parker Executive Search's offices in Atlanta was unsuccessful. The firm was closed for the day.

Dan Parker, the company's senior partner, will lead Arkansas' coaching search, according to a release sent out by the school late Wednesday afternoon.

Because the search is being conducted by an outside firm, the names of potential candidates could remain unknown for several days.

But Winthrop's Gregg Marshall and former Stanford and Golden State Warriors coach Mike Montgomery could be among those considered for the Arkansas job.

Kevin Trainor, Arkansas' sports information director, said the university set certain conditions for the firm to follow, conditions University of Arkansas Chancellor John White spoke about Monday.

"It's as Dr. White said," Trainor said. "He talked about an up-tempo coach with sustained success in the regular season, who has done well in postseason play. Those guidelines have been given to the firm."

Broyles met with several Arkansas players and coaches Wednesday afternoon and assured them that a coach would be hired quickly.

In the meantime, Glynn Cyprien, a former assistant coach under Heath, is serving as the team's interim coach.