Tom Collen has been dismissed as the head women’s basketball coach at the University of Arkansas it was announced on Friday by Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long.
"As part of a continuous and thoughtful evaluation of our women’s basketball program and its future, I have come to the conclusion a change in leadership is appropriate for our program," Long said. "Our program has not made the progress necessary to position Razorback women’s basketball to challenge for Southeastern Conference championships and consistently compete in the NCAA Tournament. The goals for our women’s basketball program remain the same and we will conduct a search to identify a head coach who we believe can help us attain those goals.
"I want to thank Tom and his staff for their hard work and dedication to the Razorback program and to our women’s basketball student-athletes. I am appreciative of their efforts on behalf of the University of Arkansas."
Long announced a national search for the next head coach of Razorback women’s basketball will begin immediately. Due to the confidential nature of the search process, Long will not be making any further comments on the search until the process has concluded.
Collen joined the University of Arkansas as the head coach in 2007 after coaching stints at Colorado State and Louisville. In his seven seasons at Arkansas, Collen posted a record of 132-90, including a 40-68 record in SEC games. During his tenure, the Razorbacks made one appearance in the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the WNIT four times.
"I appreciate the opportunity that I have been given at the University of Arkansas and I’m disappointed my time here is coming to an end," Collen said. "I said when I was hired that coming to Arkansas was like coming home and I still believe that. I am grateful to Chancellors (Dave) Gearhart and John White, Jeff Long and Bev Lewis for the opportunity they gave me to return to the University of Arkansas and work with the women’s basketball program. I am proud that I have poured my heart and soul into making this a great program. The people of the state of Arkansas deserve that. I know that the administration will work hard to secure a great coach and a great leader as they move forward. I wish the administration and, most importantly the players, the best of luck. I know they will be successful in the future."
