Steve Alford is officially the next head coach of the UCLA Bruins. His decision to leave New Mexico was a surprising one given the 10-year contract extension he just signed, although there is no denying UCLA is one of the top jobs in the country.
Steve Alford to UCLA: Analysts like hiring for Bruins
While many like the hiring for UCLA, there are a lot of similarities between Alford and Ben Howland.
There was no shortage of reaction from Twitter in the moments following Alford’s decision. Here is what some of college basketball’s leading analysts had to say about the hire.
Love the Steve Alford hire at UCLA. He's an excellent coach.
— Jason King (@JasonKingESPN) March 30, 2013
UCLA did a nice job here. Maybe Alford's style will adjust to be more "sexy" but he got UNM rolling. Real rolling.
— Andy Glockner (@AndyGlockner) March 30, 2013
Alford isn't a great hire for UCLA - but UCLA tried to hire greatness, and greatness said no.
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelCBS) March 30, 2013
A couple of analysts noticed a trend between Howland and Alford.
We've secretly replaced Ben Howland with a poor man's version of him. Let's see if anyone notices.
— Andy Glockner (@AndyGlockner) March 30, 2013
Alford will win a lot of games at Ucla. Good hire. Just one note - his teams play a style that reminds me of…Ben Howland’s teams
— Dave Flemming (@FlemmingDave) March 30, 2013
Ben Howland's last six UCLA teams ranked (on average) 165th in adjusted tempo. Steve Alford's six UNM teams ranked (on average) 181st.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) March 30, 2013
While New Mexico fans are likely distraught over losing Alford days after he signed a 10-year contract extension, there is reason for optimism.
Someone is walking into a great situation in Albuquerque. Tons of talent back, fans ok w/ new guy to reboot NCAA tourney track record.
— Andy Glockner (@AndyGlockner) March 30, 2013
New Mexico will be ranked in the Top 20 next year. The best move for the Lobos may be promoting Associate HC Craig Neal to head coach.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 30, 2013
SB Nation’s UCLA blog, Bruins Nation, isn’t thrilled about the hire.
Billy Donovan? Nope. Rick Pitino? Nope. Shaka Smart? Nope. Brad Stevens? Nope.
Steve Alford!
This dandy of a coaching search has left UCLA with Alford as the new head basketball coach, according to CBS Sports. If the report is correct, UCLA’s new head coach will be a man who has been to the Sweet 16 twice and one of those trips was in 1999. At Southwest Missouri St.
Alford will officially be introduced as the next UCLA coach at a press conference on Tuesday.
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