A timeline of Felton’s tenure at UGA

April 9, 2003: The AJC reports that Georgia has decided to hire Western Kentucky’s Dennis Felton. He replaces Jim Harrick, who resigned amid an academic scandal. Felton had a 100-54 record with the Hilltoppers, and led them to the NCAA tournament three consecutive years.

April 10: Felton is introduced as Georgia’s 22nd coach. He signs a five-year contract worth $700,000 a year.

“I want the opportunity to build the next great basketball program in the United States,” Felton said. “I want it to be a program that is the envy of everyone and the model for everyone.”

April 22: In a foreshadowing of the many disciplinary problems Felton would have, basketball player Wayne Arnold is one of several athletes charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession. Felton kicks him off the team a few days later.

May 1: The AJC reports that Felton grants releases to four of the five recruits who had committed to Georgia before he was hired.

Sept. 10: Felton dismisses Steve Thomas, the leading rebounder from the previous year’s team. Felton doesn’t give a reason.

Nov. 21: Freshman Corey Gibbs is suspended for the season’s first nine games after he sold textbooks for more than $500, a secondary NCAA violation.

Jan. 16, 2004: South Gwinnett teammates Louis Williams and Mike Mercer commit to Georgia, a recruiting coup for Felton.

“This is the backcourt Dennis Felton is going to rebuild that program around, ” TheInsiders.com recruiting analyst Dave Telep said. “I can’t imagine there’s ever been a better day in Georgia basketball recruiting.”

Jan. 17: Georgia snaps No. 5 Kentucky’s 22-game win streak at Rupp Arena, 65-57.

Jan. 22: Georgia follows that high by losing to Alabama, 45-42. It was Georgia’s lowest point total in 20 years.

March 17: Georgia is bounced from the first round of the NIT by Iowa State, 82-74.

August 5: The NCAA puts the program on four years of probation, and takes away three scholarships and 30 victories for violations during Harrick’s time as coach. Georgia appeals.

August 5: Georgia learns recruit Robert Dozier, of Lithonia, failed to make the necessary SAT score to enroll. Dozier eventually signs with Memphis.

March 20, 2005: Georgia’s 8-20 season ends with a 76-65 loss to Mississippi State in the SEC tournament.

May 30: Louis Williams, the biggest commitment Felton secured, says that he will not enroll at Georgia, and instead enter the NBA draft.

June 3: The NCAA gives Georgia its three scholarships back on appeal, but keeps intact other sanctions.

July 20, 2006: Junior Kevin Brophy dies in a two-car accident near Greensboro.

Nov. 1: 2006: Felton suspends transfer Takias Brown indefinitely for failing to take care of classroom responsibilities.

Nov. 14: Guard Channing Toney says he is transferring. Georgia’s players say they didn’t know he was considering leaving.

Feb. 10, 2007: Mike Mercer, the team’s leading scorer, is lost for the season after tearing his ACL in a win over South Carolina.

May 24: Howard Thompkins, a five-star recruit from Lithonia, commits to play for Georgia.

Oct. 11: The AJC reports that three players, Mike Mercer, Takais Brown and Albert Jackson, are suspended a total of 30 games for violating the athletics department’s class-attendance and academic-appointment policy.

Brown is dismissed from the team two weeks later.

Nov. 13: Billy Humphrey is arrested by University of Georgia police for possessing a weapon on campus. The weapon was a pocket knife.

He is suspended indefinitely two days later, and reinstated two days after that.

Nov. 19: Felton kicks Mike Mercer off the team for becoming a “disruption.”

Jan. 5, 2008: Backup center Rashaad Singleton quits the team, saying he wanted more playing time.

Feb. 7: Billy Humphrey is arrested and jailed on two misdemeanor charges, including underage consumption of alcohol. Felton suspends him for three games.

March 14: A tornado hits the Georgia Dome during the SEC men’s basketball tournament.

March 16: Georgia defeats Arkansas 66-57 to win the SEC tournament, capping four wins in three days at two different venues.

March 20: Xavier knocks Georgia out of the NCAA tournament, 73-61.

June 24: Billy Humphrey is arrested on a drunken-driving charge in Gwinnett County. Felton dismisses him from the team three days later.

Jan. 28, 2009: Georgia loses 83-57 to Florida, its fifth consecutive loss to open the SEC, seventh overall, and the worst start in conference play since 1998.

Jan. 29: Felton is fired by athletics director Damon Evans. His record at Georgia is 84-91, with one SEC tournament championship and one NCAA tournament appearance.