Calling all Iowa Hawkeye fans

[bananiem]

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

Well, it IS all about who you know.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I actually get excited with Lon Krueger.

 

[koopa]

Is Krueger's son still at UNLV next year?

Krueger would be a great hire with his Big 10 experience and all, but wouldn't Univ Michigan be fighting for him too. I'm sure Kruger will get tons of offers.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Is Krueger's son still at UNLV next year?

Krueger would be a great hire with his Big 10 experience and all, but wouldn't Univ Michigan be fighting for him too. I'm sure Kruger will get tons of offers.

You know, I did hear on the radio this morning that Michigan was/is interested in him. Dang!

 

[kimmikayb]

LOL, my husband has been amazed at the info I've been able to get him this afternoon from all of you.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Mine is always thinking the same thing.

 

[becjlek]

Although I am more of a UNI/Panthers and ISU/Cyclones fan I felt I should post just because I live in Iowa.

 

[Allison]

I hope it's true. I've missed Tom Davis for years.

Of course, I've been a Hawkeye fan since I was a little kid and Lute Olsen was still there and Bobby Hansen and Kevin Boyle were playing. Sadly, I haven't even paid attention to Steve and his crew for several years.

 

[kimmikayb]

I hope it's true. I've missed Tom Davis for years.

Of course, I've been a Hawkeye fan since I was a little kid and Lute Olsen was still there and Bobby Hansen and Kevin Boyle were playing. Sadly, I haven't even paid attention to Steve and his crew for several years.

Oh no we're dating ourselves! I'm a Lute fan too!

 

[Deb in IA]

More evidence that it IS indeed time for Steve to go:

In addition to a lackluster record, scandals involving sexual assaults, and erosion of the fan base, Steve Alford has consistently blamed everyone and everything else for his lack of major successes here - everyone except himself.

I suppose in light of this, his lastest statement shouldn't surprise anyone.

http://www.hawkcentral.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070327/HAWKS0102/703270319/1053/HAWKS

Alford: Football favored at Iowa


By Susan Harman
Iowa City Press-Citizen

Former Iowa men's basketball coach Steve Alford apparently didn't go so silently into that good night.

When introduced Friday as New Mexico's new men's basketball coach, Alford did not go into any detail as to why he left Iowa for the Mountain West Conference school. Instead, he talked vaguely of it being the right time for a move and such things as stability and commitment.

But in an interview Monday on ESPN Radio, Alford cited New Mexico's greater commitment to basketball as part of the reason for his departure for a school in a seemingly less prestigious conference.

"I think the parity now that is in college basketball, the leagues are I think sometimes blown up maybe a little bit, and the other leagues aren't getting the attention, and now they're starting to gain some momentum," Alford said.

"The Mountain West is definitely gaining some momentum. We've got some great teams, some great coaches in this league. When I started looking at it, I was born and raised in Indiana where it's basketball crazy, and I was just really eager to get somewhere where they were that passionate about basketball. It was a top priority.

"And when New Mexico called and when they started looking at me, each conversation seemed to direct me that this was a very special place. The Pit is as good as it gets from a home court, and 18,000 people, and it just seemed to be more in line with me as far as how important basketball is."

Alford specifically cited what he perceived to be Iowa's commitment to football over basketball when asked about his move, something he cited to his Iowa players Thursday when he told them of his move.

Alford was asked if it was difficult to coach that "second" program on campus.

"It's real difficult if they're not in line with one another as far as commitment levels," Alford told ESPN Radio's Trey Wingo. "Because the recruits see that, and the recruits see the commitment. I can talk for eight years all I want at Iowa about trying to get my own strength coach, my own weight room and own practice facility, but when that never happens and $100 million is being put into football complexes, recruits see that.

"That's what I'm excited about here. We've got an incredible, state-of-the-art, brand new practice facility. The Pit sells itself. There are very few venues across the country that are as well established as The Pit. And the fans here, it's about basketball.

"I don't think it has anything to do with hurting other sports. It's just being in line with your commitment levels. I had a great time, great experience at Iowa, but I don't know if I ever felt like I was with the Michigan States, the Ohio States, the Wisconsins, the Indianas as far as commitment went. That becomes a hard sell for your recruits."

Iowa raised approximately $90 million recently to refurbish Kinnick Stadium, which opened in 1929. Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which houses the basketball teams, opened during the 1982-83 season. The men's basketball offices were refurbished shortly after Alford became coach at Iowa.

Bill Maxwell has served as Iowa's strength and conditioning coach for men's and women's basketball. The weight room the teams use is next to the locker rooms at the arena. The football team has a separate weight room in the football complex. Chris Doyle is the team's strength and conditioning coach.

The athletic department has an architect preparing plans for a practice facility that has been approved by the Iowa state Board of Regents.

Alford also denied that his move was precipitated by a 17-14 season and Athletics Director Gary Barta's statement that the team had to show improvement next season. Alford pointed out he had four years left on his $1 million contract and that for Iowa to have bought him out would have cost "in excess of $600,000" per year.

"Money wasn't going to be an issue," Alford said. "It was just more the gut feeling I had that I just needed to be in a situation where basketball was king and there was a tremendous passion for basketball. That's just the way I was brought up. That's not a slam at Iowa."

Alford will be paid $975,000 annually by New Mexico, which is higher than his guarantee at Iowa of $925,000.

Barta started his Friday news conference off rebutting any suggestion that Iowa was not committed to the sport. He called Iowa's facilities "great" and its fan support "incredible."

"This is one of the premier basketball programs in the country," Barta said. "I think we all know that when you take a look at our history, our tradition. When you look at our average attendance is always in the top 25 and has been for a long, long time.

"The basketball program has a great tradition, but beyond that the overall athletic tradition, the university is one of the premier research institutions in the country."

Former Iowa Athletic Director Bob Bowlsby could not be reached for comment Monday.

 

[kimmikayb]

More evidence that it IS indeed time for Steve to go:

In addition to a lackluster record, scandals involving sexual assaults, and erosion of the fan base, Steve Alford has consistently blamed everyone and everything else for his lack of major successes here - everyone except himself.

I suppose in light of this, his lastest statement shouldn't surprise anyone.

http://www.hawkcentral.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070327/HAWKS0102/703270319/1053/HAWKS

Alford: Football favored at Iowa


By Susan Harman
Iowa City Press-Citizen

Former Iowa men's basketball coach Steve Alford apparently didn't go so silently into that good night.

When introduced Friday as New Mexico's new men's basketball coach, Alford did not go into any detail as to why he left Iowa for the Mountain West Conference school. Instead, he talked vaguely of it being the right time for a move and such things as stability and commitment.

But in an interview Monday on ESPN Radio, Alford cited New Mexico's greater commitment to basketball as part of the reason for his departure for a school in a seemingly less prestigious conference.

"I think the parity now that is in college basketball, the leagues are I think sometimes blown up maybe a little bit, and the other leagues aren't getting the attention, and now they're starting to gain some momentum," Alford said.

"The Mountain West is definitely gaining some momentum. We've got some great teams, some great coaches in this league. When I started looking at it, I was born and raised in Indiana where it's basketball crazy, and I was just really eager to get somewhere where they were that passionate about basketball. It was a top priority.

"And when New Mexico called and when they started looking at me, each conversation seemed to direct me that this was a very special place. The Pit is as good as it gets from a home court, and 18,000 people, and it just seemed to be more in line with me as far as how important basketball is."

Alford specifically cited what he perceived to be Iowa's commitment to football over basketball when asked about his move, something he cited to his Iowa players Thursday when he told them of his move.

Alford was asked if it was difficult to coach that "second" program on campus.

"It's real difficult if they're not in line with one another as far as commitment levels," Alford told ESPN Radio's Trey Wingo. "Because the recruits see that, and the recruits see the commitment. I can talk for eight years all I want at Iowa about trying to get my own strength coach, my own weight room and own practice facility, but when that never happens and $100 million is being put into football complexes, recruits see that.

"That's what I'm excited about here. We've got an incredible, state-of-the-art, brand new practice facility. The Pit sells itself. There are very few venues across the country that are as well established as The Pit. And the fans here, it's about basketball.

"I don't think it has anything to do with hurting other sports. It's just being in line with your commitment levels. I had a great time, great experience at Iowa, but I don't know if I ever felt like I was with the Michigan States, the Ohio States, the Wisconsins, the Indianas as far as commitment went. That becomes a hard sell for your recruits."

Iowa raised approximately $90 million recently to refurbish Kinnick Stadium, which opened in 1929. Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which houses the basketball teams, opened during the 1982-83 season. The men's basketball offices were refurbished shortly after Alford became coach at Iowa.

Bill Maxwell has served as Iowa's strength and conditioning coach for men's and women's basketball. The weight room the teams use is next to the locker rooms at the arena. The football team has a separate weight room in the football complex. Chris Doyle is the team's strength and conditioning coach.

The athletic department has an architect preparing plans for a practice facility that has been approved by the Iowa state Board of Regents.

Alford also denied that his move was precipitated by a 17-14 season and Athletics Director Gary Barta's statement that the team had to show improvement next season. Alford pointed out he had four years left on his $1 million contract and that for Iowa to have bought him out would have cost "in excess of $600,000" per year.

"Money wasn't going to be an issue," Alford said. "It was just more the gut feeling I had that I just needed to be in a situation where basketball was king and there was a tremendous passion for basketball. That's just the way I was brought up. That's not a slam at Iowa."

Alford will be paid $975,000 annually by New Mexico, which is higher than his guarantee at Iowa of $925,000.

Barta started his Friday news conference off rebutting any suggestion that Iowa was not committed to the sport. He called Iowa's facilities "great" and its fan support "incredible."

"This is one of the premier basketball programs in the country," Barta said. "I think we all know that when you take a look at our history, our tradition. When you look at our average attendance is always in the top 25 and has been for a long, long time.

"The basketball program has a great tradition, but beyond that the overall athletic tradition, the university is one of the premier research institutions in the country."

Former Iowa Athletic Director Bob Bowlsby could not be reached for comment Monday.

sounds like he has some sour grapes. Good ridence.

 

[Deb in IA]

And sources are reporting that Bruce Pearl may be interested in the Iowa job too:

http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070327/HAWKS0102/703270315/1080

Larson discusses Pearl's interest

By Ryan Suchomel
Iowa City Press-Citizen

Iowa City attorney Randy Larson wanted to clarify some statements he made on an Eastern Iowa radio show Monday afternoon.

Larson, the director of the Prime Time Basketball League and a friend of Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl, said the former Hawkeye assistant is interested in the vacancy at Iowa -- up to a point.

"He has some interest in this, because of some sentimental aspects," Larson said late Monday night. "But me saying he has some interest doesn't mean he's going to apply. It doesn't even mean he's going to talk to anybody."

Speculation has swirled throughout the state about whether Pearl -- who has led the Vols to two straight Sweet 16 appearances in his first two years at Tennessee -- might be a candidate for the Iowa vacancy.

Pearl was an assistant coach at Iowa under Tom Davis from 1986-92, and his coaching staff at Tennessee is filled with coaches with ties to the Hawkeye state, including Tony Jones, brother of former Hawkeye Bill Jones, Lone Tree native Steve Forbes and former Hawkeye Jason Shay.

Pearl also remains close to former Hawkeye Mike Gatens and his son, City High junior Matt Gatens, who has verbally committed to join the Hawkeyes in 2008.

Larson said his contact with Pearl was motivated by the fact he would like to see him apply for the job. UI Athletics Director Gary Barta started the search for the next Iowa men's basketball coach Friday after Steve Alford left for the head coaching job at the University of New Mexico.

Larson reiterated it would be premature to link Pearl to the vacancy of Iowa because of his statement that Pearl had some interest in the job.

"Bruce is not the type of guy that is going to go looking at every job," Larson said. "This is my conclusion from talking to him. He's not looking to change jobs.

"I don't think there is hardly any job he would look at."

 

[My2Cinderellas]

I read that in the Register this morning.

I think the "I want a basketball focused school" is a load of crap. It's his way of putting a "positive" spin on choosing to leave. It's coming across as a slap in the face, but it's better than the truth.

Alford came across as condescending and snooty. I don't know him, never met him, but the impression gained from watching him in interviews and such is not good. I agree that how he handled the Pierce situation was poor, and lost him what support he had. it's time to say "see ya, don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out."

let's all do the happy dance !

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I read that in the Register this morning.

I think the "I want a basketball focused school" is a load of crap. It's his way of putting a "positive" spin on choosing to leave. It's coming across as a slap in the face, but it's better than the truth.

Alford came across as condescending and snooty. I don't know him, never met him, but the impression gained from watching him in interviews and such is not good. I agree that how he handled the Pierce situation was poor, and lost him what support he had. it's time to say "see ya, don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out."

let's all do the happy dance !

Amen Sistah!!

 

[Deb in IA]

WE HAVE A COACH!!!!

He's a basketball "lifer" from Indiana, played high school ball for his dad and college ball in his home state, has a wife and 3 kids, and took his last team to the Sweet Sixteen.


Todd Lickliter, former coach at Butler University, of course . . . who did you think we were talking about?

But unlike his predecessor, he was voted Coach of the Year from the National Association of Basketball Coaches.


http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070403/HAWKS0102/704030322


Sounds like a winner!!!!

 

[kimmikayb]

I'm pretty pleased with the announcement. So is DH. Only time will tell, but I think this is a good thing!

 

[Galahad]

WE HAVE A COACH!!!!

He's a basketball "lifer" from Indiana, played high school ball for his dad and college ball in his home state, has a wife and 3 kids, and took his last team to the Sweet Sixteen.


Todd Lickliter, former coach at Butler University, of course . . . who did you think we were talking about?

But unlike his predecessor, he was voted Coach of the Year from the National Association of Basketball Coaches.


http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070403/HAWKS0102/704030322


Sounds like a winner!!!!

Should be good for Iowa. Folks are a bit sad here in Indy. Butler lost Matta to OSU and now Lickliter to Iowa. Butler's a good school that still has academic credibility. I hope they can maintain a good program.

 

[Deb in IA]

Yes, Butler must feel like it is a training ground for Big 10 coaches . . .

Lickliter seems like a good guy. And he's getting quite a nice package from Iowa . . . 7 years at 1.2 million a year, with incentives for post season sucesses and acadmics.

 

[Galahad]

and acadmics.

Very cool! Hope that's a trend!

DS#2 isn't really a sports fan, but Butler is on his short list of colleges, so we've started paying a bit more attention to what goes on there. It really is quite an impressive school. It gets overshadowed locally by the big Public Universities. AND, they've got Hincke Field House (think "Hoosiers").

 

[bananiem]

Well, dh and I are cautiously optomistic.