Alford Staying at UCLA

[Franisdaman]

"Absolutely, 100 percent not going to Indiana," Alford said after the Bruins were eliminated from the NCAA tournament in an 86-75 loss to Kentucky in the Sweet 16. "Staying at UCLA. I am happy. Love it here.

"Have a great class coming in and brand-new practice facility. Obviously, I love my alma mater, [but I'm] committed to UCLA. I am not going to talk to Indiana. I am staying a Bruin."

Link: http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...says-not-interested-indiana-head-coaching-job

 

[hawkeyeinmo]

Imagine that, these guys like Dakitch and Gotlieb just after some headlines that they had "inside information"

 

[UpstreamHawkeye]

This was just Alford's thought tonight. He might "change" his mind tomorrow, you know.

 

[SigMaintHawk]

Roy Williams-" I don't give a shit about North Carolina"... Hired away from KU shortly there after.

 

[St_Henry_Buckeye]

He was never considered seriously. Last opening they had he did not get an interview. IU had no real interest in him. Thought this was pretty clear all along.

 

[Herky T Hawk]

Just like when he left for UCLA right after signing a big extension with New Mexico. He knows how to drive his price up.

But seriously, why would you ever leave UCLA voluntarily? He has access to any resource he could ever want for basketball and can recruit nationally for top players. Plus has limited elite-level competition in the conference. Basically Arizona is the only other regularly elite school. There are several other very good ones but they usually have some down years here and there.

Indiana doesn't have the coast to coast recruiting power of UCLA, but does have an admin that provides whatever the basketball team needs. But they have to compete with Michigan State and Wisconsin as teams that are currently elite. Not to mention that Michigan and Ohio State have both also played in national title games in the not to distant past. And then you also have Butler in state as competition that has recently played in a title game. And just across the Ohio River you have Kentucky and Louisville that are both national powers and regular national title contenders.

 

[bagdropper]

He signed a 10 year extension at UNM right before he bolted for UCLA, didn't he?

 

[StormHawk42]

Yeah I won't put any stock into what he says until IU has actually hired someone. FWIW, I think they go for Gregg Marshall.

 

[hawk-i bob]

now that he has said so ... chances of him coming home are small...silence is no longer golden..

 

[txowan]

Alford is one coach who's comments can be taken with a grain of salt. Alford has always been loyal to Alford

 

[Fan In Black]

Just like when he left for UCLA right after signing a big extension with New Mexico. He knows how to drive his price up.

But seriously, why would you ever leave UCLA voluntarily? He has access to any resource he could ever want for basketball and can recruit nationally for top players. Plus has limited elite-level competition in the conference. Basically Arizona is the only other regularly elite school. There are several other very good ones but they usually have some down years here and there.

Indiana doesn't have the coast to coast recruiting power of UCLA, but does have an admin that provides whatever the basketball team needs. But they have to compete with Michigan State and Wisconsin as teams that are currently elite. Not to mention that Michigan and Ohio State have both also played in national title games in the not to distant past. And then you also have Butler in state as competition that has recently played in a title game. And just across the Ohio River you have Kentucky and Louisville that are both national powers and regular national title contenders.

The only reason you leave UCLA on your own is jon security. Remember, just last year boosters were flying Fire Alford airplanes over the arena and he was on the hot seat. But Alford may not be worried about that. He does have recruiting rolling.

 

[DanL53]

I wish I had his agent. If I needed an agent. I'm sure his agent told him exactly what to say. I also think it is interesting his agent contacted PEEGS to tell the Indiana fans that Alford isn't coming. Why do that?

To stir something up?

I don't think Alford is leaving, UCLA will give him a nice extension. That's what this has always been about. He at least wants his money back from the year he gave up his salary. I'm sure of that.

I hate Alford......

 

[cocoem]

Him and Lavar Ball deserve each other. The Ball saga will only get worse for him.

 

[doughudd]

Roy Williams-" I don't give a shit about North Carolina"... Hired away from KU shortly there after.

You left off the end of the quite, "right now" as they were just knocked out of the NCAA.

" "I could give a shit about North Carolina right now. "

 

[TriCityHawk]

Everyone keeps thinking that Alford will take the Indiana job. Maybe Indiana just doesn't want him, since they never even gave him an interview on the last opening. He better stay at UCLA where the recruiting is easier. Indiana just isn't the big name b-ball school it was under Knight.

 

[St_Henry_Buckeye]

Everyone keeps thinking that Alford will take the Indiana job. Maybe Indiana just doesn't want him, since they never even gave him an interview on the last opening. He better stay at UCLA where the recruiting is easier. Indiana just isn't the big name b-ball school it was under Knight.

IU is still a big name and recruiting there will be fine with a compentant coach. They are in a hot bed of quality basketball players. With the right coach they will once again be a power in basketball.

 

[iowa surfer]

This was just Alford's thought tonight. He might "change" his mind tomorrow, you know.

NO DOUBT!!! MAN CAN TALK WITH FORK IN MOUTH! WANT HIM AT INDIANA.WILL WAGER HE IS A HOOSIER.GREW UP BY UCLA.JOHN WOODEN WOULD NOT APPROVE OF HIM AT ALL.

 

[ih8iast8]

Steve is a fraud. I'd never trust anything from his mouth.

 

[hooper56]

"Right now, I'm a Hawkeye", Tyler Smith, on his way out the door.

 

[championhawk]

I bet UCLA wishes Alford would take the Indiana job.

 

[Joes Place]

"Absolutely, 100 percent not going to Indiana," Alford said after the Bruins were eliminated from the NCAA tournament in an 86-75 loss to Kentucky in the Sweet 16. "Staying at UCLA. I am happy. Love it here.

"Have a great class coming in and brand-new practice facility. Obviously, I love my alma mater, [but I'm] committed to UCLA. I am not going to talk to Indiana. I am staying a Bruin."

Link: http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...says-not-interested-indiana-head-coaching-job

Too many people out there he can scam perks from....he likes being BMOC...

 

[83Hawk]

I said all along he wasn't going to Indiana. Why would he? He has a monster recruiting class coming in, not as big a fishbowl as Indiana is, and the Pac-12 is *usually* weaker overall than the Big 10...easier to win there.

 

[Mohawkeye]

If he doesn't make at least the final four next year he will be looking for a new place to land.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

You can't believe anything that comes out of Alford's mouth. Who knows? Maybe people who are saying Indiana had no serious interest in him are correct. To me, if that is in fact true, his comments about being 100% committed to UCLA and being 100% happy there make sense--his ego would never allow him to say that Indiana hasn't contacted me about the job so this is a non issue. Nope, it's 100% about him.

The flip side, think about--Bloomington in January vs. Los Angeles in January. Hmm...I know where I'd pick.

 

[HawkLogic]

IU is still a big name and recruiting there will be fine with a compentant coach. They are in a hot bed of quality basketball players. With the right coach they will once again be a power in basketball.

Yes, Indiana can be good with good coach. I don't think the recruiting would be easier at Indiana vs UCLA. Alford will not meet expectations at UCLA or Indiana, but he will laugh himself to the bank for ton of money.