FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) - Reports say former U-K star John Pelphrey will leave South Alabama to take over the Arkansas basketball program.

FoxSports.com and CBS Sportsline.com, cited unidentified sources, in reporting last night that Pelphrey will take the Arkansas job.

The Razorbacks have been without a coach since Stan Heath was fired March 26th. They hired Dana Altman last Monday, but Altman changed his mind and returned to Creighton the next day.

South Alabama spokesman Kit Strief said Pelphrey will be in Arkansas today, but he wouldn't confirm that Pelphrey had taken the Arkansas job.

FoxSports.com said Pelphrey would be introduced at a news conference today, although Arkansas spokesman Kevin Trainor wouldn't confirm that.

Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles and South Alabama athletic director Joe Gottfried didn't immediately return calls seeking comment.

During its search, Arkansas eyed Billy Gillispie, who later left Texas A-&-M to take over at Kentucky. The Razorbacks also received permission to talk to Memphis coach John Calipari.

Altman's shocking reversal led Arkansas to enlist a search firm to help find a coach.

Pelphrey went 80-and-67 in five seasons at South Alabama, including 44-and-19 the last two seasons.

Arkansas went 21-and-14 last season and made the N-C-A-A tournament for the second straight year, but the Razorbacks lost in the first round both seasons. Heath was fired and took the South Florida job.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)