That's amazing in itself.Originally posted by TankedCat:
They threw money at Alford, so unless he just tanks the season, I suspect he'll be around to prove for sure that he can't get it done next year.
If I remember correctly he was a ways down the list when the coaching search started and they had to throw money at him to get someone and stop the embarrassment of being turned down.Originally posted by TankedCat:
They threw money at Alford, so unless he just tanks the season, I suspect he'll be around to prove for sure that he can't get it done next year.
In all seriousness, can you imagine Cal at UCLA?? I shutter to think the powerhouse he would make them. It would be almost like the powerhouse we are now.Originally posted by Altro Cat:
If I remember correctly he was a ways down the list when the coaching search started and they had to throw money at him to get someone and stop the embarrassment of being turned down.Originally posted by TankedCat:
They threw money at Alford, so unless he just tanks the season, I suspect he'll be around to prove for sure that he can't get it done next year.
The problem is young up and coming coaches no longer desire to coach at blue blood programs. They rather coach at a place where they can win without the pressure. Can't say I blame them, but it's bad for the game IMO. There are top 25 teams out there that can't fill half of their arenas because their fans don't really care.Originally posted by ZZBlueComet:
You would think a school like UCLA, with it's history, recruiting base of California and donors could get someone besides Steve Alford and his son playing PG.
If I were UCLA, I'd throw a wall of money at a Brad Stevens type of hire - heck, anything would beat what they have.
I have either forgotten that or didn't know. Was it after Richardson left?Originally posted by .S&C.:
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That is not entirely true. Coaches still desire to coach at the top spots but some of the best ones have figured out they can wait on their "top" choce because coaching is now a revolving door. Coaches are competitors though. Look at it like this.
Cal left an extremely comfortable position at Memphis. He turned down schools like Arkansas, because he had his eye on the school he wanted. He came to a pressure cooker at UK when he had Memphis by the balls.
Cal
Self
Williams
Kay at Duke
These are the best coaches in today's game all at blue blood programs.
While there are a few (smart, stevens. Etc.....) who haven't coached the blue bloods yet, if they are good enough they will end up there. Stevens Iwill probably end up at indiana, smart is probably waiting on UNC or kansas or to see what UK does. Marshal would take over kansas tomorrow if he could.
Just because smart turned down UCLA and Stevens turned down the same dont assume this is a common practice. It's not. But nowadays UCLA is a dangerous job to have. It's just a name. Syracuse, louisville, Uconn, etc are all better jobs than UCLA now. I'm just saying don't use the UCLA job as a measuring stick to see if coaches are comfortabke staying at small schools. .
UK
Kansas
UNC
Duke
Even indiana
You will not see many coaches straight up turn down a formal offer from those schools. It's a myth.
You are correct. I can't recall off the top of my head who they pursued initially. But, it wasn't Alford. He had a pretty good gig at New Mexico St where they were happy with a tourny bid and getting to the second round while making a decent paycheck. So, UCLA had to open up the checkbook just to get him to come.Originally posted by Altro Cat:
If I remember correctly he was a ways down the list when the coaching search started and they had to throw money at him to get someone and stop the embarrassment of being turned down.Originally posted by TankedCat:
They threw money at Alford, so unless he just tanks the season, I suspect he'll be around to prove for sure that he can't get it done next year.
Alford was never at New Mexico State, a total dead end job.Originally posted by tbone.ky:
You are correct. I can't recall off the top of my head who they pursued initially. But, it wasn't Alford. He had a pretty good gig at New Mexico St where they were happy with a tourny bid and getting to the second round while making a decent paycheck. So, UCLA had to open up the checkbook just to get him to come.Originally posted by Altro Cat:
If I remember correctly he was a ways down the list when the coaching search started and they had to throw money at him to get someone and stop the embarrassment of being turned down.Originally posted by TankedCat:
They threw money at Alford, so unless he just tanks the season, I suspect he'll be around to prove for sure that he can't get it done next year.
Truth is that despite all the scenery and "tradition" that UCLA has, their college hoops fans are fickle. The students will jump on the bandwagon if they have a top 10 team and fill some seats at Pauly (as they did with some Harrick and Howland teams). But, besides a some of the old alum from back in the Wooden days, they have had a hard time maintaining consistent fan interest in college bb.
The Lobos even gave him a 10 year extension and THREE days later, he accepted the job at UCLA.Alford was never at New Mexico State, a total dead end job.
He coached the New Mexico Lobos, good basketball tradition, good facilities, and good fans.
Change a few words and this was us just a few years ago. Shiver me timbers......Originally posted by ZZBlueComet:
You would think a school like Kentucky, with it's history, recruiting base of the entire US and donors could get someone besides Billie Gillispie and Hunter McClintock playing PG.
If I were Kentucky, I'd throw a wall of money at a Tom Crean type of hire - heck, anything would beat what they have.
Alford is pulling a Tubby/Saul...Originally posted by KMKAT:
Coach Alford screwed up by depending on his son.
Did having him on the team impact his recruiting? Sure sounds like it.
Whether kids leave earlier than expected or not, these coaches are getting huge salaries to be prepared for all situations.
My personal wish is that Alford continues in that role just like I hope Crean and Pitino hang in there.
The epitome of a has-been program who no one cares about is UCLA Basketball.Originally posted by .S&C.:
There is no question that UCLA is not the greatest program in the history of college basketball.
Anyone still trying to say that, is probably a UK hater or doesn't know anything about CBB except "most national titles".
Also there's no more claims that UNC is the REAL greatest program because of prestige with NBA guys(best players) and the only top program to be CLEAN. this is why i Always talk about how important our NBA players under pitino and cal are so important. They have jordan, granted, but after that we now pretty much match them in player personnel.
Kentucky, as alumni or baron would say, is definitely the number one program all time.
On the end of some birdshot from a Bobby Knight 12 gauge?Originally posted by PanzerV:
The question is....Where does Alford find himself next?