Another Alford rumor

SlyCy · 03-10-2007, 08:29 AM

Another rumor involving Alford
Brian Ray/The Gazette
TV report says New Mexico looking to hire Iowa coach
By Jim Ecker
The Gazette
CHICAGO — The rumor a few days ago was that Steve Alford would be fired as Iowa’s basketball coach and replaced by Dana Altman, but Athletics Director Gary Barta debunked that one before it could do any serious damage on the recruiting trail.
The new rumor is the University of New Mexico wants to throw a ton of money at Alford and hire him to replace Ritchie McKay, who was fired Feb. 22.
In reality, Denver Nuggets assistant coach Mike Dunlap appears to be the frontrunner at New Mexico, but that didn’t stop Chicago superstation WGN from running the ‘‘Alford to Albuquerque’’ rumors on its sportscast Thursday night.
‘‘You know how I am with rumors,’’ Alford said Friday after Iowa lost to Purdue, 74-55, in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament. ‘‘There’s been enough rumors about me in eight years, it’s hard to believe I’m not in a dress by now. With all the rumors out on me for the last eight years, I’m glad I’m still in a coat and tie.’’
Alford is not a cross-dresser, and from all indications he plans to coach the Hawkeyes again next year. His contract does not expire until after the 2010-11 season, and Barta said Tuesday that Alford is not going to be fired. For his part, Alford talked Friday about the future with the Hawkeyes and his hopes for next year’s team. There are no signs he plans to leave, and he’s spoken in the past about how comfortable he and his family have become in Iowa City.
That doesn’t stop the rumor mill from churning, however. Last year, he was supposed to be a leading candidate to replace Mike Davis at Indiana, but in reality never got a phone call. Also last year, he supposedly was interested in going to Missouri.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s rumor

pulse · 03-10-2007, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by SlyCy

Alford is not a cross-dresser, and from all indications he plans to coach the Hawkeyes again next year.

I cannot believe this shoddy journalism!! How do they know he isn't a cross-dresser? What he does in the locker room or at home isn't as well known.

PlymouthCy · 03-10-2007, 09:38 AM

I'm hoping he "earned" another extension after this year.

brianhos · 03-10-2007, 09:56 AM

Why would New Mexico be interested in Alford? I just don't see it, the only way Alford is leaving Iowa is if he is fired, and I don't think Barta has the spine to do that. He will be there next year, and will suck it up nicely again. I love Alford.

ericlambi · 03-10-2007, 10:06 AM

Actually the way he acts at home and in public away from the team is very well known. He isn't a very good person.

HandSanitizer · 03-10-2007, 10:12 AM

Why would Alfor leave a BCS conference that is always on TV and has lots of Money? He would have to be fired or he lands another APPEALING job.

Cyclone62 · 03-10-2007, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by HandSanitizer

Why would Alfor leave a BCS conference that is always on TV and has lots of Money? He would have to be fired or he lands another APPEALING job.

A few million dollars would be pretty appealing. How do you think we landed Chizik? Our conference title from 1912?

travman23 · 03-10-2007, 10:18 AM

The Alford saga could get interesting thanks to Pollard. Pollard has raised the bar for what is acceptable and don't think twice that Barta isn't taking notice in what we are doing. If he knows he can get Altman I would make the switch if I were him. But it would not hurt my feelings if Alford stayed either :)

I know someone who is very close with Bob Bowlsby due to some business contacts this person has with Iowa. Still keeps in touch with Bob, even went to the Alamo Bowl with him, his treat. This is a fact, Alford was going to be gone a couple years ago until his team made the NCAA tourney by pulling off that run in the Big 10 tournament. Alford may have a clause in his contract that he can't be fired if he makes the NCAA tourney is what I have heard. How accurate that is I don't know but it would make sense why he didn't get fired last year either if that was the case.