OT: Alford to New Mexico?

[Nyghtewynd]

Per Andy Katz and ESPN...it's down to Alford and the Winthrop coach.

Heck, UNM might be a step down from *Missouri State*, much less Iowa.

[HollywoodBrave]

Well from 1996-99, New Mexico did make 4 straight NCAA's, albeit they couldn't get out of the second round in any of those years. Those teams had Charles Smith, Kenny Thomas and Clayton Shields.

They also went in '05 with my main man Danny Granger. A lot of pressure to win there, considering there isn't any other competition in Albuquerque.

[BearsCountry]

New Mexico could be a good job, they have the facility and support.

[alphacard]

Alford was a spoiled kid before he got to IU. Now he's a spoiled grown up kid. I never liked his teams and felt he drove a wedge between players. I would give him a pass on the job.

[Hail Red & White]

Whoever takes the job will have to have a squeaky clean image, with a high level of patience. The New Mexico program while good, has always had a cloud over its head back to the Norm Ellenberger days. NCAA investigators know the road to Albuquerque quite well. It can be a difficult place to recruit players which is one reason why many transfers have wound up playing there. However, building success on an influx of transfers can be risky. I've read accounts where the UNM campus is in a rough part of town, which could explain why some of its players run afoul of the law.

[AcePurpleFan]

Our AD came from New Mexico - for what that's worth. Alford is locked up at Iowa for awhile isn't he? Could New Mexico afford to pay him what Iowa is giving?

[SubGod22]

And I don't think the Winthrop coach leaves. He seems to be quite happy there and the type that may stay there for a while.

[siudog]

Our AD came from New Mexico - for what that's worth. Alford is locked up at Iowa for awhile isn't he? Could New Mexico afford to pay him what Iowa is giving?

I dont think that is the problem... I think they want to run Alford out of town and what better place to go to than NM.... They said in an article that they were also targeting Coach Lowery... why leave the Valley for the MWC where they have been to the NCAA for awhile.. and dont say money...

I already know what people do for money...

:salukis:

[frontrowdrake]

Iowa has said that it is time to start winning and if not find a new job. Alford is gone after next year. He would be smart to take a job where someone likes him. FRD Iowa Class of '85

[PinhookDave]

Alford got lucky with a draw and lucky with success 1 time. It is typical that when you sense "bad things a comin , to leave" I would take the NM job even if RT is "the stud" down there now.

[Keita44]

I hope pretty boy takes it. Iowa's fans have been trying to get rid of him for years, maybe he is finally getting the message.

[AcePurpleFan]

I dont think that is the problem... I think they want to run Alford out of town and what better place to go to than NM.... They said in an article that they were also targeting Coach Lowery... why leave the Valley for the MWC where they have been to the NCAA for awhile.. and dont say money...

I already know what people do for money...

:salukis:



No Way Lowery should even consider the NM - even if it does pay more. People tend to get lost and forgotten way out there. He's got a good thing going with the Salukis. A high-seeded tournament team this year, six striaght appearances, one of the "classes" of the Valley. C-Lo should only consider leaving C-dale for a BCS job.

[getreal4]

C Lo should jump at any job offering financial security for his family. NM would be a great job in that regard, as would Minnesota. Multi million dollar 5 or 6 year deals that are available would equal his life earnings at SIU.

[DUBulldog]

There might be something to this one:

Link (http://www.kcci.com/sports/11320269/detail.html)

[getreal4]

Friday is decision day for NM Alford is the most likely guy.

[DoubleJayAlum]

Now I'm a little bit worried.....

[Little Eddie]

This is a bit like Bury Collier last season at NU...writing is on the wall so to save face maybe Alford is thinking about making a move to a warmer climate.

Dunno...I don't think CU fans have anything to worry about though in terms of DA leaving.

[cpacmel]

More and more reports that Alford to New Mexico is a done deal.

I hate to say this Creighton fans, but be worried. :sweatingbullets:

[cufan]

I'd be more worried if I were an SIU fan. CU pays Altman a lot closer to IU money than C Lo gets. It would be a lot easier for Altman to say no thanks than it would be for CLo to walk away from that kind of pay increase. On the other hand, if Altman walks away from this one, I think he becomes a lifer at CU. Is he prepared to make that decision? Should be interesting.

[Khan4Cats]

I agree with CuFan on this one. This might be the position that looks appealing to C-Lo more than Minnesota or others. In another thread someone posted that Weber had advised Lowery to stay in the midwest where he knows his recruiting base. Well, there aren't going to be many positions that can pay a substantial increase and remain in the same geographic area, and most of those already have new coaches (Mizzou, Indiana,...)

Iowa would fit perfectly in areas Lowery has recruited with both Chicago and St. Louis nearby.

It could be a battle of the coaches from this years' top two MVC schools to replace Alford.

What a shake-up that would be for this conference next year.

[MoValley John]

Out of the box Crazy Talk, but could you imagine the board if the following scenario took place:

Alford to New Mexico, Altman to Iowa for $1.2 M, Lowery to Creighton for $850,000, Southern Illinois promotes from within for $165,000- and still continues to win.

[DannyCooksey]

I'll bet Big Bad McDermott is kicking himself right about now. :yes:

He could have stayed at UNI 1 more season, probably won 20 games again and had the Iowa job on a platter for about $400,000 more than he is making in Ames.

Instead he is in Ames with a horrible black eye over this Michael Taylor garbage that will set him back another year. He could win much faster in Iowa City than he could in Ames.

This is a tricky hire for Iowa. If I were their AD, I'd go full out for Kevin Stallings. I think he might be ready for a new challenge and 1 more move. I think he'd make Illinois fans among others VERY nervous.

[Chairman of the Boards]

Not worried at all. Dana Altman + Gary Barta equals dirt + water = mud.

I also think you would have a hard time convincing DA that the Iowa job is an upgrade.

Omaha to Iowa City? No way.

Qwest Center to Carver? No way.

Money? A wash.

Conference? Yes, but Iowa has never done anything of real significance.

AD? Bruce Rasmussen and DA are best friends.

Family? All of DA's family is located within an hour of Omaha. Plus, they all love Omaha.

Pressure and unrealistic expectations? Advantage Iowa

This happens every year with DA. He isn't going anywhere. CU has deep pockets and will pay him accordingly if it comes down to him leaving or staying.

Show, I think you nailed it perfectly... DA will retire in Omaha where he is God... why would he even consider the extra pressure at Iowa when CU can pony up more $ if necessary? He's got it made and realizes it.
:valley:

[LincolnJay]

I used to think the Iowa job was "one of those few jobs" that DA coveted and it always scared me when Helmet Head rumblings occured.

I have since discovered that, although I still don't know who that magic three or four schools are, Iowa IS DEFINITELY NOT one of them and that comes from the highest of the high sources.

No worries mates.:original:

[IndyTreeFan]

Found this on a New Mexico Lobos board:

KWWL In Iowa Reporting Alford Accepted UNM Position

They sound pretty confident that Alford is coming there. Some are happy, some are not. Kinda entertaining reading...

FYI...this was from TheRedMenace.com...

[Nyghtewynd]

Very rarely do you see one school hire a coach away from another school and *both* fanbases are happy.

[3baller]

I think it is something that DA might look at, but I don't see him going there. The pay increase won't be much higher, plus CU is in a lot better place right now. The Iowa job would not be a bad one for him, but I just don't see it happening.

[getreal4]

Hawkeye job will be a 5 year, $ 6mil deal. For the right coach.

[blueblood]

That would not be much if any at all of a pay increase for Altman. He has too much family in the area to ever leave. His dad is within driving distance and they are close. Altman will retire at Creighton. End of story.

[DoubleJayAlum]

Very rarely do you see one school hire a coach away from another school and *both* fanbases are happy.

Sendek last year at NC St, now at ASU. Altman is another example I guess. But you are right; they are few and far between.

Barry Collier leaving Nebraska to take the AD job at Butler is somewhat similar, although he didn't take a coaching job.

[Dawg_tired]

Even though my son saw Altman in Iowa City, I don't think Altman is the guy for Iowa. He won't sell with the fans. He hasn't had enough NCAA success. He's another good mid major coach but isn't a McDonald's all American recruiter. His record at K-State wasn't good. I don't think Iowa fans think he can do it on the big stage.

[cufan]

He won't sell with the fans. He hasn't had enough NCAA success. He's another good mid major coach but isn't a McDonald's all American recruiter. His record at K-State wasn't good. I don't think Iowa fans think he can do it on the big stage.

Every now and then I thank the Lord for the arrogance of BCS fans. :lol:

:jays: :valley:

GO :salukis:

[Nyghtewynd]

You may call it arrogance, but what Iowa fan wants is NCAA wins. Dana Altman's lack of NCAA wins at Creighton may be what keeps him safely in Omaha.

[Little Eddie]

What? No sushi bar posts??

[AcePurpleFan]

ESPN is now reporting that it's a done deal and Alford will be announced tomorrow. I found it interesting that even though they may hate him in Iowa City, he wasn't fired for next year, and he's losing about $500,000 by jumping to New Mexico. I'd probably stay just for the cash, then "resign" later. :lol: It seems New Mexico-type jobs open up every year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2807516

[Nyghtewynd]

Good luck, Stevie. Now that you're at a program that's probaby at the same level (maybe) as MSU, maybe you'll finally find some success.

[getreal4]

Iowa would like to get one of the big name coaches, but if not, C Lo is on the radar.

[Aegyptus]

ESPN is now reporting that it's a done deal

Three big 11 openings. Can the Valley survive? This hurts SIU's negotiations with C-Lo big time, because Iowa is better than the Minn. opening. I do think Altman stays (maybe with a little pay bump, again). But, with 3 openings, don't be surprised if Les starts to enter conversations too. And, no kidding, McDermott must be irate at himself!

Such a catch 22. Valley flourishes, big 11 dwindles, big 11 fires coaches and steals Valley coaches, Valley flourishes, big 11 dwindles, big 11 fires coaches... FIND THE MONEY TO STOP THE CYCLE (yes, that means you, SIU).

[mid-major fan]

Alford is not taking a pay cut at New Mexico.

[MSNSaluki]

FIND THE MONEY TO STOP THE CYCLE (yes, that means you, SIU).

Can we try to beat Kansas first?:original:

[Aegyptus]

Can we try to beat Kansas first?:original:

Well played. You should tell Vahe Gregorian at the Post-Dispatch, though, too. Either way, it is a decent article (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/ncaatournament/story/3622DD7C7ED07547862572A60014E4BA?OpenDocument).

[LincolnJay]

Alford Heads To New Mexico

POSTED: 10:10 am CDT March 22, 2007
UPDATED: 10:19 am CDT March 22, 2007

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DES MOINES, Iowa -- Sources inside the Iowa basketball program confirmed that head coach Steve Alford has reached a deal to become the new basketball coach at the University of New Mexico, KCCI Sports Director Heidi Soliday reported.

Alford will be introduced as the new head coach at a news conference Friday in Albuquerque. Soliday reported that Alford has returned to Iowa City from a Florida vacation and will likely be meeting with his players on Thursday. She will have live reports from Iowa City throughout the day on KCCI.

Alford has been head coach at the University of Iowa since 1999. He has a 152-106 record and has made three appearances in the NCAA tournament. Many fans have been disappointed in the lack of more regular post-season appearances.


Alford will replace Ritchie McKay.

ESPN.com reports that Alford will take assistant coach Craig Neal with him to New Mexico.

[AcePurpleFan]

Alford is not taking a pay cut at New Mexico.


I was wrong, it isn't a $500,000 pay cut, but it is still a cut.

"With football reigning as the most popular sport at Iowa, sources said Alford was looking for a school that is passionate about basketball first. Krebs has pledged to make the Lobos nationally prominent, bumping up the coach's salary more than $500,000 in an attempt to get it closer to Alford's nearly $1 million annual salary at Iowa."

[mid-major fan]

Let's just wait till the contract terms are announced. You may be surprized.

[Nyghtewynd]

That's not the issue. It doesn't matter whether there was a pay cut or not, because he was going to get cut-cut (fired) at the end of next year at Iowa. The AD made it clear that the postseason was an important goal, and there's no way that talent is going to make it to the postseason next year.

[mid-major fan]

Actually, he is going to get a pay increase and he left Iowa not the other way around. Iowa was surprized by this.

[Keita44]

ESPN.com reports that Alford will take assistant coach Craig Neal with him to New Mexico.[/QUOTE]


I hope that Craig Neal won't go with Alford. Neal is the best assistant that Iowa has.




Iowa fans have been trying to get rid of Alford for several years, so I guess Pretty Boy finally got the idea.

[MSNSaluki]

Well played. You should tell Vahe Gregorian at the Post-Dispatch, though, too. Either way, it is a decent article (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/ncaatournament/story/3622DD7C7ED07547862572A60014E4BA?OpenDocument).

I read that. Good story. It's the truth. But word around Carbondale is that a deal to keep Lowery there is almost done. He's not gonna get Turgeon money but it's gonna be in the neighborhood.

At least that's the story.

[The Big Guy]

I'm glad to see Alford go. It is about time.:clap: :clap: :clap:

[Aegyptus]

But word around Carbondale is that a deal to keep Lowery there is almost done. He's not gonna get Turgeon money but it's gonna be in the neighborhood.

Let's hope the "word" is right and that the Tubby Smith fiasco does not change any one's mind. How much is Turgeon money and how far off do you think it will be?

[MSNSaluki]

Let's hope the "word" is right and that the Tubby Smith fiasco does not change any one's mind. How much is Turgeon money and how far off do you think it will be?


Turgeon money is $750,000.
Rumor is SIU is putting together a package at around $600,000 per.

[AcePurpleFan]

Actually, he is going to get a pay increase and he left Iowa not the other way around. Iowa was surprized by this.


Where are you coming up with this?

[DUBulldog]

Where are you coming up with this?

I don't always agree with him, but believe me when I tell you this..."mid-major fan" knows people.....people who know a lot more about college basketball than anybody on this board.

[AcePurpleFan]

Turgeon money is $750,000.
Rumor is SIU is putting together a package at around $600,000 per.


That's a rumor I've heard as well. I heard letters were sent out to alumni to help raise some of the money. I'm pretty sure SIU doesn't want to lose a 3rd coach; Lowery will still be at SIU next year.

[AcePurpleFan]

I don't always agree with him, but believe me when I tell you this..."mid-major fan" knows people.....people who know a lot more about college basketball than anybody on this board.


Let me clarify... it wasn't necessarily me questioning the authority of the statements as much as it was a rhetorical amazement! He's got stuff Andy Katz doesn't (maybe he is Andy Katz???) :helpsmilie:

[DUBulldog]

Let me clarify... it wasn't necessarily me questioning the authority of the statements as much as it was a rhetorical amazement! He's got stuff Andy Katz doesn't (maybe he is Andy Katz???) :helpsmilie:

Actually, it's good that you're questioning the authority of the statements....after all, we're all just anonymous screen names on here....hopefully, most people can figure out after a while who has some clue what they're talking about and who's just talking out of their @$S.

Too many people believe everything they read without questioning the authenticity.

[Nyghtewynd]

They may have been "surprised" by this, but it's surprise in a good way (they don't have to pay him a dime) rather than surprise in a bad way (OH NOES WE LOST OUR COACHZ!!!11!!). They were just setting it up to be able to fire him next year.

[Dawg_tired]

Funny post from Hawkeye Nation.

From a Hack fan.
I agree. Altman is like the ugly girl you know you could get almost anytime, but you still want to make a run at Erin Andrews.

[DoubleJayAlum]

Funny post from Hawkeye Nation.

From a Hack fan.
I agree. Altman is like the ugly girl you know you could get almost anytime, but you still want to make a run at Erin Andrews.

I'd like to check out what they are saying...can you provide the link?

[Hein72]

600k a year in Carbondale and Lowery can live like a king. Heres to hoping everyone can keep their coaches and the current vacant teams can or have made the best hires possible :valley:

[Dawg_tired]

I'd like to check out what they are saying...can you provide the link?


Just go to hawkeyenation.com. There are plenty of threads. Iowa fans are richards.