Tommy Deffebaugh joined the Razorback women’s basketball team in May 2015 and brings several years of basketball coaching experience from a wide variety of institutions to the Arkansas bench. Some of his previous stops as an assistant coach include time at the University of South Florida, Western Michigan University, Missouri State University, Oral Roberts University, Southern Illinois University, Drury University and the University of Missouri-Rolla.
Deffebaugh worked at Dartmouth University alongside Terry Dunn from 2005-08 helping the Big Green to its first double-digit winning season in six years. At Dartmouth, he was involved in recruiting, game preparation, scouting and skill development.
He moved on to Tennessee Tech working with Mike Sutton and helping the Golden Eagles to steady improvement in the Ohio Valley Conference including back-to-back fourth place finishes in the league standings.
In 2010, Deffebaugh returned home taking the position as a physical education teacher and head coach of the junior varsity team at Fayetteville High, where he had been a star guard from 1979-81. As a high school player, he was a two-time all-conference and all-state selection and played with Dykes. When he graduated, Deffebaugh held the FHS record for points in a game with 43 against Choctaw (Okla.) High.
After graduating from Drury College in 1985, Deffebaugh began his coaching career as an assistant coach/physical education teacher in the Springfield (Mo.) public school system. In 1992, he earned a master’s degree from Drury.
Deffebaugh also has nine years of high school coaching experience. His ties to Arkansas began when he coached future Razorback Gary “Peanut” Adams, who went on to a football career with the Razorbacks. Adams’ daughter, McKenzie, was a member of the Razorback women’s basketball team.
A four-year letterwinner for the Panthers, he was co-captain in 1984-85 and was chosen honorable mention All-America. He was inducted in to the Drury College Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.
Deffebaugh has consistently recruited all-conference caliber players at every school. He helped recruit and coach a pair of All-Americans at Drury in Lonnie Holmes and Phil Mooberry. He also brought standouts Mike Wallace and Tamarr Maclin to Missouri State and All-Ivy League player Alex Barnett to Dartmouth. Troy Hudson, the former Southern Illinois player who played for the Golden State Warriors of the NBA.
Tommy and his wife, Tracy, have two children – Connor and Karringtin.
COACHING CAREER
Assistant Coach
University of Arkansas (Women) || Two Seasons (2015-present) || 25-35
2015-16 || 12-18
2016-17 || 13-17 (2-14)
Fayetteville High School (Varsity) || Five Seasons (2010-15)
Tennessee Tech (Men) || Two Seasons (2007-09) || 40-54
2009-10 || 15-17 (6th OVC)
2008-09 || 12-18 (8th OVC)
2007-08 || 13-19 (7th OVC)
Dartmouth University (Men) || Three Seasons (2004-07) || 25-56
2006-07 || 9-18
2005-06 || 6-21
2004-05 || 10-17
South Florida University (Men) || One Season (2003-04) || 7-20
2003-04 || 7-20
Western Michigan University (Men) || One Season (2002-03) || 20-11
2002-03 || 20-11 (NIT)
Missouri State University (Men) || Three Seasons (2000-02) || 53-42
2001-02 || 17-15
2000-01 || 13-16
1999-2000 || 23-11 (NIT)
Oral Roberts University (Men) || Two Seasons (1997-99) || 36-23
1998-99 || 17-11
1997-98 || 19-12
Southern Illinois University (Men) || Four Seasons (1993-97) || 70-132
1996-97 || 13-17
1995-96 || 11-18
1994-95 || 23-9 (NCAA 1st Round)
1993-94 || 23-7 (NCAA 1st Round)
Drury University (Men) || Two Seasons (1991-93) || 40-22
1992-93 || 19-12 (NAIA 1st Round)
1991-92 || 21-10 (District 16 Tournament)
University of Missouri-Rolla || Two Seasons (1989-91) || 30-23
1990-91 || 13-14
1989-90 || 17-9
