Des Moines, Iowa – Iowa coach Steve Alford told his players during a team meeting today that he is leaving to take over at New Mexico.
“Things came up and this is the decision he had to make,” senior guard Mike Henderson said. “He’s going to New Mexico.”
Alford, a former star at Indiana, had a 152-106 record in eight seasons at Iowa. He led the Hawkeyes to three NCAA Tournament appearances and Big Ten Conference Tournament crowns in 2001 and 2006. But Iowa won just one NCAA Tournament game under Alford, and last season the Hawkeyes were upset by 14th-seeded Northwestern State in the opening round.
This season Iowa finished 17-14 and missed out on postseason play. Athletic director Gary Barta said last week that next year’s team “just needed to be better than we were this year.”
“Coach has a great opportunity to go somewhere else. It’s a great move on his behalf. I know he’s happy and excited,” senior guard Adam Haluska said. “It sounds like the best move for him and his family right now.”
Alford has been mentioned as a candidate at New Mexico since coach Ritchie McKay was fired after five seasons. McKay, who had three years remaining on his contract, was 82-65 in five seasons at New Mexico, including a dismal 8-41 road record.
Players said Alford wanted a new start after eight seasons in Iowa City.
“He wanted to get his family out of this negative environment,” center Seth Gorney said.
New Mexico athletics department spokesman Greg Remington said a Friday news conference in Albuquerque was likely, but “we don’t have it set yet.”
