Calling all Iowa Hawkeye fans

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Espn.com is reporting Steve Alford is most likely heading to the University of New Mexico. What are your thoughts? Personally, eight years is enough and if you haven't taken the basketball program to the next level by now, it ain't gonna happen. If this is true, who would you like to see hired?
 
I'm not an Iowa fan but I did find it interesting that Iowa bought several domain names on the internet to block it's fans for creating websites to get rid of several coaches. Seemed like a waste of money to me.
 

About time really. Any word on who they are getting to replace him?
 
Iowa has a basketball team? Just kidding. I think a new coach would be a good idea. When I was at school there the only press the team seemed to get was from the rape allegations against one of its players (sorry, can't remember his name; I was more of a football fan).
 
Resident Hawkeye here, checking in. (Actually, I'm a Hawkeye by virtue of employment; I am an alum of Purdue University - Bachelor's degree, and Indiana University - MD degree.)

Since I'm a Hoosier transplant, I have been aware of Steve Alford a bit longer than most here, starting waaaaaaay back when he was Indiana Mr. Basketball, then, of course, playing for Bobby Knight in IU's last championship game. Indeed, there was a time where Steve Alford was revered throughout the land in Indiana. He even has a motel named after him in his hometown of New Castle:

logo.gif


http://www.ez-look.com/stevealfordinn/

When he was hired at Iowa, his coaching career seemed to be promising. He had been very successful at little Division III Manchester College, then taking Southwest Missouri State to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. In fact, it was considered quite a coup by then AD Bob Bowlsby that Steve came to Iowa, instead of heading back to Indiana, to his roots and the storied basketball state and the legendary program at his alma mater.

However, I think most feel that Steve was a bit of a disappointment here. Yes, he did win 2 Big 10 titles and had 6 straight winning seasons, but this past season, although we all knew it was to be a "rebuilding" year, was a major disappointment, culminating with the lack of any post season play (not even the lowly NIT!). The other major black cloud over Steve's time here in the Hawkeye state was the entire Pierre Pierce scandal. There are many here, myself included, that feel that Steve did not come down hard enough on Pierce when the FIRST allegation surfaced, and even when the second, more serious charges came up, Steve still initially refused to take action, and only after Pierce was arrested was he dismissed from the team.

So, all in all, I think the general feeling is that Steve did not live up to expectations with the program and made some poor decisions regarding his players. Eight years is quite a while in college coaching these days. Maybe this is a good time for him to move on, and for a change in the Hawkeye men's basketball program.


By the way, the radio stations this morning came THIS CLOSE to saying that "in all likelihood", he would be going to New Mexico - the announcer caught himself just in time and didn't complete his sentence.
 
/
Resident Hawkeye here, checking in. (Actually, I'm a Hawkeye by virtue of employment; I am an alum of Purdue University - Bachelor's degree, and Indiana University - MD degree.)

Since I'm a Hoosier transplant, I have been aware of Steve Alford a bit longer than most here, starting waaaaaaay back when he was Indiana Mr. Basketball, then, of course, playing for Bobby Knight in IU's last championship game. Indeed, there was a time where Steve Alford was revered throughout the land in Indiana. He even has a motel named after him in his hometown of New Castle:

logo.gif


http://www.ez-look.com/stevealfordinn/

When he was hired at Iowa, his coaching career seemed to be promising. He had been very successful at little Division III Manchester College, then taking Southwest Missouri State to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. In fact, it was considered quite a coup by then AD Bob Bowlsby that Steve came to Iowa, instead of heading back to Indiana, to his roots and the storied basketball state and the legendary program at his alma mater.

However, I think most feel that Steve was a bit of a disappointment here. Yes, he did win 2 Big 10 titles and had 6 straight winning seasons, but this past season, although we all knew it was to be a "rebuilding" year, was a major disappointment, culminating with the lack of any post season play (not even the lowly NIT!). The other major black cloud over Steve's time here in the Hawkeye state was the entire Pierre Pierce scandal. There are many here, myself included, that feel that Steve did not come down hard enough on Pierce when the FIRST allegation surfaced, and even when the second, more serious charges came up, Steve still initially refused to take action, and only after Pierce was arrested was he dismissed from the team.

So, all in all, I think the general feeling is that Steve did not live up to expectations with the program and made some poor decisions regarding his players. Eight years is quite a while in college coaching these days. Maybe this is a good time for him to move on, and for a change in the Hawkeye men's basketball program.


By the way, the radio stations this morning came THIS CLOSE to saying that "in all likelihood", he would be going to New Mexico - the announcer caught himself just in time and didn't complete his sentence.

Great post Deb. Employeed by Iowa? I'm crazy in the head (I'm 41) and looking to go back to college....been looking at the university.
 
Good luck to you, kimmiekay!

Oh, forgot to add that the biggest disappointment, year after year, was Steve's inability to get Iowa past even the FIRST ROUND of the NCAA tournament. :sad2:


When you consider that Dr. Tom Davis took Iowa to the Sweet Sixteen during his last year here, after he had already been told by Bowlsby that his contract would not be renewed, it makes it ironic.
 
Deb, you are a plethora of information. It was Alford's lack of discipline in the Pierre Pierce scandal that did it in for me. My DH and I have been going round and round over this coaching thing and we NEVER argue. It is certainly time for a change and just by looking at the dwindling attendance at Carver-Hawkeye makes this point.
 
Good information Deb. Pierre Pierce was the name I was looking for. That whole scandal started during my first year there (I have my law degree from there), so that is all I really remember of the basketball team. :sad2:

I second the good luck Kimmiekay! Iowa is a great school.
 
Here's the story from today's Iowa City Press Citizen:

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Signs seem to point to Alford out

Barta gives UNM permission to talk to Hawk coach


By Susan Harman
Iowa City Press-Citizen


Iowa Athletics Director Gary Barta gave the University of New Mexico permission to talk with Iowa men's basketball coach Steve Alford about the Lobos' coaching vacancy, and it appears that Alford has been receptive to the overtures.

Alford, who flew out of the Cedar Rapids airport Tuesday but was expected to return to his office today, declined comment through the Iowa sports information office. Barta's statement said he would have no further comment on the matter.

Alford's name has been publicly linked to the New Mexico opening for two weeks. His only public response came after the Big Ten Tournament when, without specifically denying the interest in or from New Mexico, he made a joke about the many rumors that have swirled about his tenure at Iowa.

Andy Katz of ESPN.com reported Wednesday night that sources have told him that Alford and New Mexico are working out a contract and a news conference would be Friday. But Jay Blackman of the New Mexico sports information department said Wednesday night that no such news conference was scheduled.

The Albuquerque Tribune reported Wednesday night that numerous unnamed sources in the coaching ranks were confirming that Alford going to New Mexico was "close to a done deal." The Tribune also reported that UNM Athletic Director Paul Krebs said a deal was close, although Krebs declined to name the candidate with whom the negotiations were taking place.

Mike Gatens, an Iowa City developer and father of Iowa recruit Matt Gatens, said late Wednesday afternoon he hadn't heard about the New Mexico contact nor had he or Matt had any contact with Alford.

Matt Gatens, a City High junior, has given an oral commitment to join the Hawkeyes in the 2008 incoming class.

"Matt's a Hawk, you know that," Mike Gatens said. "We'll just have to see how it plays out."

Gatens declined further comment.

Jarryd Cole, who signed a letter of intent with Iowa last fall, said he hadn't talked to any of the Iowa coaches about the situation.

"I guess confusing is the best way to put it," Cole said. "I've just got to stay positive, keep my head up and hope it isn't true."

Cole said he wasn't sure what he would do if Alford leaves Iowa. He is bound by the letter of intent but some schools grant waivers when coaches leave before the student-athlete matriculates.

Winthrop coach Gregg Marshall also was among the pool of candidates, and New Mexico already has interviewed Sacramento Monarchs coach John Whisenant, a former New Mexico assistant, and former Arizona State coach Rob Evans. Southern Illinois coach Chris Lowery and several assistant coaches, UCLA's Kerry Keating, Florida's Larry Shyatt and Texas' Rodney Terry, have been mentioned as being under consideration.

Marshall is considered one of the top young coaches in the country after building a mid-major dynasty of sorts at Winthrop. The Eagles upset Notre Dame in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to Oregon. They have made seven trips to the NCAA since 1999. Katz said Marshall was told Tuesday he was out of the picture.

New Mexico's vacancy occurred when Ritchie McKay was fired after going 15-17 this season. His five-year record at New Mexico was 86-65. His best season was his second when the team was 26-7 and went to the NCAA Tournament.

The school is using a search firm, Eastman & Beaudine, to help provide a list of candidates.

Alford is under contract to Iowa through June 30, 2011, after Barta extended his contract a year in September. Alford's base salary is $500,000 with guaranteed outside income of $275,000 and estimated income of $150,000 from radio and television sources.

In addition, Alford has received $300,000 longevity bonuses in 2004 and 2006 and is scheduled to receive them in two-year increments if he remains as Iowa's coach. The contract contains other bonus incentive payments and fringe benefits as well.

The $925,000-plus package is significantly more than New Mexico has offered in the past. The Albuquerque Tribune reported that McKay was paid $500,000 and a new coach could command anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million.

Barta said last week that he expected the basketball program to make progress next season after a 17-14 finish and no post-season tournament.

"We need to build off of where we ended this season," he said. "We can't restart from scratch."

While indicating he thought the program was headed in the right direction, his comments made clear that another "rebuilding" year might not be enough for Alford.

Iowa has been in the process of recruiting point guard Jeff Peterson of DeMatha High School in Washington, D.C. Recruiting a true point guard is seen as critical for next season's success. Recruiting analyst Van Coleman of Future Stars Magazine and Hoopmasters.com, said Wednesday that the courtship between Alford and New Mexico could be detrimental to Iowa's recruiting.

"It's in Steve's court, and it needs to be a decisive, quick decision one way or another, for the program, for his players, and for spring recruiting," Coleman said.
 
Deb, you are a plethora of information. It was Alford's lack of discipline in the Pierre Pierce scandal that did it in for me. My DH and I have been going round and round over this coaching thing and we NEVER argue. It is certainly time for a change and just by looking at the dwindling attendance at Carver-Hawkeye makes this point.


I totally agree. Both DH and I are from Indiana, and when we compare how Bobby Knight, with all his flaws and personality problems, would have handled Pierre Pierce (the "General" would NOT have tolerated this; he benched guys for cutting class!!), well, let's just say that Steve did not exactly emulate his mentor.
 
Good information Deb. Pierre Pierce was the name I was looking for. That whole scandal started during my first year there (I have my law degree from there), so that is all I really remember of the basketball team. :sad2:

I second the good luck Kimmiekay! Iowa is a great school.

That whole Pierre Pierce thing has me shaking my head. And wasn't attentance the lowest it's ever been this year?

Thanks for the luck...honestly? I am scared to death. Growing up in Iowa, living here most of my life (only 25 miles from Iowa City) I know it's a great school but I'm 41 and thinking of changing my whole career path. I haven't been to college since I was 21.
 
That whole Pierre Pierce thing has me shaking my head. And wasn't attentance the lowest it's been this year?

Thanks for the luck...honestly? I am scared to death. Growing up in Iowa, living here most of my life (only 25 miles from Iowa City) I know it's a great school but I'm 41 and thinking of changing my whole career path. I haven't been to college since I was 21.

If you are referring to attendance at the games this year, they couldn't even give tickets away. :sad2:
 
My friend and colleague is the team physician for the men's basketball team, and I just got out of a meeting with him. I asked him, "So, is he leaving?", and my friend couldn't say, of course, except to say that there is going to be a team meeting at 5 pm tonight.

Rumors are flying around the department that the replacement will be Lon Kruger, from UNLV . . . but who knows what truth there is behind this.
 
Looks pretty definite. Here's what FOXSports is saying:

Alford to be officially introduced Friday

Jeff Goodman / FOXSports.com
Posted: 2 hours ago

Iowa coach Steve Alford can't get out of town fast enough.

According to sources, the Hawkeyes coach has accepted the New Mexico job and will be introduced at a news conference on Friday.
Alford has spent the past eight seasons with the Hawkeyes and has a 152-106 overall mark, but many Iowa fans are ecstatic about his departure.

Iowa lost consecutive first-round NCAA tournament games in 2005 and 2006 and didn't make the postseason at all this season after a 17-14 overall record and a 9-7 mark in Big Ten play.

A year ago, Alford attempted to go after the Indiana job, but the former Hoosiers standout was passed over in favor of Kelvin Sampson. Alford won't publicly admit that he was pushing hard to return to Bloomington, but according to numerous sources close to both the Iowa and Indiana programs that was very much the case.

The handwriting was on the wall for Alford to exit this season because he was losing his best player, Adam Haluska. Add to it the perception that a majority of Iowa fans were disenchanted with Alford.

Some of it stems from the Pierre Pierce saga, who was charged with assault in 2002, allowed to rejoin the team and then sentenced to prison in 2005 for an incident involving a former girlfriend.

Alford made an intelligent decision. He got out of Dodge (well, Iowa City) before he was forced out.

One of the primary reasons why Alford was tied in with New Mexico is because its president, David Schmidly, worked with Bobby Knight at Texas Tech. Alford was a star at Indiana for Knight.

The Lobos fired Ritchie McKay after an 81-66 mark in five seasons and are reportedly making more of a financial commitment to the basketball program, making renovations to The Pit and also paying a hefty salary believed to be close to the $1 million range to Alford.
 
I totally agree. Both DH and I are from Indiana, and when we compare how Bobby Knight, with all his flaws and personality problems, would have handled Pierre Pierce (the "General" would NOT have tolerated this; he benched guys for cutting class!!), well, let's just say that Steve did not exactly emulate his mentor.

Perhaps being closer to Lubbuck will be helpful to him. I hope he can find a place to succeed. As you said, he always seemed to have so much promise. My son and nephew still have the "shoes, knees, shirt, swoosh" posters.
 
The Quad City TImes online page is saying he's already told his players he's going to New Mexico.

My thoughts? Yee-HA!!!! I'm thrilled!!!! He couldn't get the job done and he couldn't keep the guys in line and out of court. And someone in the know ;) told us a story or two about him. Lost all respect for him.:sad2:
As for who I'd like to see coach my Hawks? Well, Tom Davis did resign from Drake yesterday!:love:
 
Perhaps being closer to Lubbuck will be helpful to him. I hope he can find a place to succeed. As you said, he always seemed to have so much promise. My son and nephew still have the "shoes, knees, shirt, swoosh" posters.


The saga continues . . .


It appears now that the New Mexico president had worked with Bob Knight at Texas Tech, and it was this connection that got Steve this opportunity.

bananiem said:
As for who I'd like to see coach my Hawks? Well, Tom Davis did resign from Drake yesterday!

Wonder if Dr. Tom has any other sons to bequeath a head coaching job to?;)
 

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