6/26/2023 0 Comments Mytime ucla"Steve is the perfect fit for UCLA," Guerrero said. Alford has a good chance to make all of that happen if he coaches in a similar fashion at UCLA as he did at New Mexico. ![]() Guerrero made it clear that he wanted to have a coach who played an exciting style, would help fill the seats at Pauley Pavilion and represented the university and student-athletes well. UCLA tried to make a run at VCU's Shaka Smart and Butler's Brad Stevens since firing Howland and entertained the thought of an NBA coach, too. He said his new deal didn't take into effect until Monday. "You're not going to find anyone more competitive or driven,'' Alford said.Īlford said he wasn't sure on the numbers of his buyout and who would pay for it. He was an Olympian under coach Bob Knight, played in the NBA and has 23 years of coaching experience. If anywhere else, this is not a decision that would have been made.''Īlford said he has been under pressure since he was 16, playing at New Castle High in Indiana where the gym sat 10,000 and would be sold out. It wasn't something easy to do, to look at the young men in the face. We've been one of the premier programs out West. "We return the entire starting five of a 29-6 team. He gives UNM the best chance to continue what we've done.''Īlford said this was one of the most difficult things he had to do, to tell his team Saturday morning he was leaving. "Nobody is more prepared to be a head coach more than Craig Neal,'' said Alford. He also endorsed his top assistant Craig Neal to replace him at New Mexico. Howland coached the Bruins the past 10 years.Īlford said his son, Bryce who is a top 2013 recruit, would come with him to UCLA. He'll handle this with dignity, class and he's ready for this.''Īlford replaces Howland, who was fired at UCLA last week after the Bruins lost to Minnesota in the second round of the NCAA tournament. He's not the kind of guy who will shy away from what expectations are about at UCLA. ![]() In addition, the state of New Mexico and University of New Mexico takes their basketball seriously. Anything about Indiana basketball is pressure. "Anyone suited for a pressure job like this it's Steve,'' Guerrero said. New Mexico AD Paul Krebs said the buyout is still being worked out.Īlford will be introduced by the Bruins at a news conference in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Guerrero said Alford will be paid $2.6 million a year plus a $200,000 signing bonus and that Alford would have to pay a buyout to New Mexico but that UCLA would work with him. UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero said in a conference call that Alford will receive a seven-year, $18.2 million contract. I very much look forward to taking the helm at UCLA." ![]() "I'm proud of my time and the opportunity given at New Mexico. "It's been a difficult morning to tell a team that I dearly love and a team and built last six years," Alford said in a Saturday afternoon news conference in Albuquerque. ![]() Hired New Mexico coach Steve Alford on Saturday to replace Ben Howland, ending a process that had rapidly changed direction several times over the past few days. Men's College Basketball, UCLA Bruins, New Mexico Lobos You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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