Prep says ex-Iowa coach made invitation.

Did Alford woo Iowa signee?

Prep says ex-Iowa coach made invitation

By Jim Ecker

jim.ecker@gazettecommunications.com


Jake Kelly, who signed a national letter-of-intent with the Iowa men's basketball program in November, told The Gazette last night that Steve Alford has invited him to play for his new team at New Mexico.

If true, Alford may have violated an NCAA rule that forbids tampering with student-athletes who have signed with another school.

Kelly, a senior at Carmel (Ind.) High School, said he'll wait and see who Iowa hires as its next coach before deciding whether to honor his commitment to the Hawkeyes or join Alford at New Mexico.

``He said he'd like for me to come and that he thinks he's got a good future here,'' Kelly said. ``He said it's a big-time place and he's excited about it.''

Kelly confirmed two other times during the interview that Alford has invited him to New Mexico, raising the question of improper conduct by the coach.

``All I can say is that the NCAA rules and the national letter-of-intent rules are pretty clear,'' Fred Mims, a UI associate director of athletics, told The Gazette. ``By and large, once a person has committed himself to an institution, then that person should not be recruited by another entity - another institution, that is. With that in mind, I'm assuming this might not be a true story, and I hope it isn't.''

Mims declined comment on whether Alford may have violated NCAA rules.

``I don't want to speculate on any of that,'' he said. ``It's one of those things that if it comes to pass, we'll have to look at it and have some discussions.''

Kelly, Dairese Gary from Concord High School in Elkhart, Ind., and Jarryd Cole from Winnetonka High School in Kansas City, Mo., signed with Iowa in November. Gary's mother declined comment last night when reached by The Gazette, saying ''He's not doing any interviews right now.'' Cole could not be reached for comment.

Kelly said he has spoken with Gary and Cole since Alford left for New Mexico.

``They're the same way as I am,'' he said. ``They just don't know. I mean, they love Coach Alford and are thinking about going down there, but at the same time they signed with Iowa and that's kind of what they've been planning on doing. They don't know what they're doing, either.''

Kelly said he was ``very shocked'' by Alford's decision to leave Iowa last week.

At his press conference Friday at New Mexico, Alford said he would not tell current Hawkeyes or future Hawkeyes what to do, saying it was up to each player to decide whether to play for Iowa or possibly join him at New Mexico.

*clap*

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Bravo, Stevie. Bravo.

What's the link?

LINK here.

Oh man, I've been saying it for a week now, this is gonna turn into one big fiasco. I mean just think about it. An AD in over his head. A search Committee. No university president. One canidate who has already said no. And now a possible NCAA violation. Can't you just feel a scandal?

CyForPresident- Your avatar looks kind of like Barta!

What a great start to an up-and-coming coach's new job! :laugh8kb:

Something pungent seems to follow this man everywhere he goes...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SlyCy

``He said he'd like for me to come and that he thinks he's got a good future here,'' Kelly said. ``He said it's a big-time place and he's excited about it.''

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I thought Alfraud was suppose to have a good future in Iowa City. I wonder if there is any Hawkeye ego shrinkage when he called New Mexico a big-time place.

And the only reason why Alfraud is excited is that he can leave the mess he made in Iowa City and now screw up the program in Albuquerque...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cydar

I thought Alfraud was suppose to have a good future in Iowa City. I wonder if there is any Hawkeye ego shrinkage when he called New Mexico a big-time place.

And the only reason why Alfraud is excited is that he can leave the mess he made in Iowa City and now screw up the program in Albuquerque...

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I think you misspelled Alford. twice. :dull8ay:

It's not funny any more! you can stop!

That guy is just a class act.

Our guy told UNI recruits to honor their committments, big difference between McDermott and Alford.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kuney1

Our guy told UNI recruits to honor their committments, big difference between McDermott and Alford.

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My thought exactly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kuney1

Our guy told UNI recruits to honor their committments, big difference between McDermott and Alford.

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Not that I condone NCAA violations (if there were any), but the circumstances under which they each left were vastly different. McD left a good situation at his alma mater to advance his career, while Alford was run out of his job by fans that never really accepted him to a lesser or equal job. I doubt he feels a lot of loyalty to the program and fans that spurned him. I'm just saying...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dormeezy

I think you misspelled Alford. twice. :dull8ay:

It's not funny any more! you can stop!

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Alfraud isn't funny???? Is he your brother or something?

Maybe not to you, I laugh my butt off everytime I hear it. Have a little fun already

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kuney1

Our guy told UNI recruits to honor their committments, big difference between McDermott and Alford.

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Maybe McD thought he needed better players in the Big 12?