Alford said to be front Runner of New Mexico Job

loboclone · 03-16-2007, 04:56 PM

Thursdays Albuquerque Journal Says Steve Alford affered job at UNM. It isn't fair, I move from Iowa and they hire this ............ and he moves into my backyard.

Albuquerque Journal
Thursday, March 15, 2007

Alford Not a Favorite of Iowa Fans

By Mark Smith
Journal Staff Writer
If Iowa's Steve Alford is indeed the leading candidate for the University of New Mexico men's basketball coaching vacancy, it doesn't appear to bother Hawkeyes fans.
Ken Miller, host of KXNO's afternoon sports talk show in Des Moines, said he interviewed Iowa athletic director Gary Barta on his program Wednesday. He then fielded calls from Iowa fans concerning the Alford-to-UNM rumors which are sweeping the college coaching ranks.
"Barta said he, basically, has not been contacted by New Mexico," Miller said. "Then I took calls for an hour, and nobody was in favor of (Alford) staying here. The only guy who even came close to defending him just said that attendance is down all over the country."
Iowa averaged 15,500 fans (a sellout at Carver-Hawkeye Arena) in 2001 but has dipped to around 12,000 each of the past three years.
While Barta says he has not been contacted by UNM, that doesn't mean that Alford hasn't been in touch with the Eastman & Beaudine firm that New Mexico hired to head the search. The Journal attempted to contact Alford for a third consecutive day, but an Iowa sports information spokesman said, in a prepared statement, that Alford "is out of town recruiting and unavailable for comment."
Alford's parents and Iowa assistant coach Tim Buckley were at the state high school tournament Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, but Alford wasn't spotted. Buckley told a Des Moines Register reporter that Alford was "out east recruiting."
Bob Beaudine of Eastman & Beaudine hasn't returned messages from the Journal.
At least a half-dozen sources involved with college basketball have told the Journal that Texas Tech coach Bob Knight is trying to help Alford land the Lobo job. Three college coaches say they've heard that Alford has been offered the job.
On Wednesday, New Mexico athletic director Paul Krebs would not comment on whether Alford had been offered the job, or if he was even in the running. Throughout the search, Krebs has maintained he will neither confirm nor deny any coach as a possible candidate.
Alford played for Knight at Indiana. After Knight was booted from Indiana, he was hired at Texas Tech when David Schmidly was president. Schmidly is the new UNM president.
Alford is coming off a 17-14 season at Iowa and is 152-106 in eight years at the school. But he's won just one NCAA Tournament game there and Barta said next year he will decide if Alford is leading "the program in the right direction."
Alford has four years remaining on his contract and is reportedly making more than $1.2-million a year.
"I really think it would be so much easier on Barta if he and Alford separate in different directions," Miller said. "(Barta) wasn't happy with the way this year went.
"... For whatever reason, the fans never warmed up to Alford from the start. Maybe because he played at Indiana, maybe because of the Pierre Pierce deal. He looked bad for backing Pierce."
In 2002, Pierce was charged with third-degree sexual abuse and eventually pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of assault causing injury. He sat out the 2002-03 season, but was allowed back the next year and led the Hawkeyes as a sophomore at 16.1 points a game. But in 2005, he was arrested again and pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, false imprisonment and fourth-degree criminal mischief.
This time Pierce was kicked off the team and eventually served 11 months at the Iowa Department of Corrections.
JOB POSTING: The following is an excerpt from the posting for the UNM vacancy on the NCAA website:
"Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree and at least ten years of directly related experience. ... Preferences will be given to candidates with: coaching experience in scheduling, budgeting, and public relations, knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations demonstrated in resume."

larry · 03-16-2007, 05:03 PM

I feel your pain as I live in IC. Won't be sorry to see him go, though, if he has indeed been offered and accepts the job.Do you suppose Barta would offer Neal the job if this happened?

Drive4cy · 03-16-2007, 05:14 PM

If Alford had any brains he would take this job. He has no chance to make the NCAA's next year at Iowa, then he will be run out.

Jerry1982 · 03-16-2007, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Drive4cy

If Alford had any brains he would take this job. He has no chance to make the NCAA's next year at Iowa, then he will be run out.

Ignoring short term logic, (win loss records in next two years) wouldn't this be considered a lateral move?

chadm · 03-16-2007, 05:21 PM

Would New Mexico have to buy out Alford's contract, or would Iowa just say thanks?

joepublic · 03-16-2007, 05:21 PM

Steve doesn't make lateral moves, he is the major.

loboclone · 03-16-2007, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by chadm

Would New Mexico have to buy out Alford's contract, or would Iowa just say thanks?

Good Question, if I was the Barta I would say see you later..........

Frankly, Richie McKay was a better coach than Alford ever could be.

Jerry1982 · 03-16-2007, 05:36 PM

So, after what, 8 years at eiu, Alford has accomplished what? He's ruined any momentum. He's lost ticket revenue. He's demoralized the fan base. Does he really have anything great to show for his stint at eiu? Why is New Mexico talking with him?

bawbie · 03-16-2007, 05:38 PM

If Pollard was the AD instead of Barta SA would be long gone. I'm glad they have a spineless AD though, it gives us a great advantage.

uro cy · 03-16-2007, 05:52 PM

Quick!!!! Find some UNM message boards, and warn them about SA....I want him to stay at EIU as long as possible

benjay · 03-16-2007, 06:05 PM

he is a man with few redeeming qualities

loboclone · 03-16-2007, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by uro cy

Quick!!!! Find some UNM message boards, and warn them about SA....I want him to stay at EIU as long as possible

Already posted my take.........they are blasting Ames and ISU on this thread. Some Suckeye has been there!

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?S=203&F...8711&P=2&FIX=1

Go get them

cmoore_23 · 03-16-2007, 06:08 PM

wow NM is dumb if this happens..

darts180 · 03-16-2007, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Jerry1982

Ignoring short term logic, (win loss records in next two years) wouldn't this be considered a lateral move?

It is in terms of conference status. But New Mexico is a basketball school, only, and they have a very loyal fanbase that supports the program. They have more resources, basketball wise, and a better building.

Stormin · 03-17-2007, 03:06 AM

Alford will need at least two cars to make the drive to New Mexico. One for himself and one for his ego. If he makes the move, it is because his massive ego can't take his eventual firing. By the way, the move to New Mexico would be considered a step down in my book. Hate to give props to EIU fans, but that's the way it is.