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Forum nameOkay Sports
Topic subjectSteve Alford ain't making it to 2019.
Topic URLhttp://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=8&topic_id=2683042
2683042, Steve Alford ain't making it to 2019.
Posted by Frank Longo, Sun Dec-30-18 04:20 PM
He's a dumpster fire of a coach. He'll be the only UCLA coach in history to never win a conference title or make an Elite Eight. He's 23-43 against KenPom Tier A opponents and wasn't above .500 against them during his New Mexico stint either.

He just got slammed by Liberty at home and he's lost his players. UCLA needs to realize that there's talent on that roster, buy out Alford immediately, and bring in Hoiberg or Watson to try to re-energize the team.

The Pac-12 is absurdly shitty this year, there's a real chance that roster with a new coach could genuinely win the conference. Which they'd need to do, as the conference is more likely to have only one tournament auto-bid than it is to have an at-large.
2683044, Too 8bad Lil Archie already poached Ed Schilling
Posted by calminvasion, Sun Dec-30-18 04:30 PM
Anyone who though Alford was a good coach after his Iowa debacle and a underwhelming NM stint deserves what they get. Him getting the UCLA job was the definition of whiTeboysalwaysfallup
2683047, He played for bob knight. That automatically makes you a good coach.
Posted by guru0509, Sun Dec-30-18 04:40 PM
That’s what i heard anyway
2683051, If they go the interim route with an assistant...
Posted by Frank Longo, Sun Dec-30-18 04:49 PM
... then I throw every dollar I have at Eric Musselman or Kevin Keatts Day 1 of the off-season. Or maybe Nate Oats.
2683104, The Tyus Edney Era has begun
Posted by Warren Coolidge, Mon Dec-31-18 02:14 AM
2683123, He gone...
Posted by Dstl1, Mon Dec-31-18 09:12 AM
https://twitter.com/Aaron_Torres/status/1079633835904577536
2683173, I didn't realize UCLA still flies commercial. WTF?
Posted by Frank Longo, Mon Dec-31-18 11:30 AM
Never mind, they may *not* go for bigger names if they're gonna refuse to pay 3+ mil and they're not gonna let their kids fly charter.
2683215, broke bois
Posted by guru0509, Mon Dec-31-18 02:44 PM
2683326, from what i hear, they would be willing to tap donors
Posted by Kungset, Wed Jan-02-19 11:24 AM
IF the incoming coach says the lack of chartered flights is a dealbreaker. sounds like they would prefer to continue flying commercial, though
2683340, Nate Oats or bust, then.
Posted by Frank Longo, Wed Jan-02-19 01:19 PM
Because any of the talented real names aren't moving from situations with charter flights to UCLA exclusively for the "prestige of coaching at UCLA."

And even Oats may realize a college will likely offer him 3+ mil with all the trappings in the next 1-2 years.
2683176, i really like Musselman's trajectory
Posted by Kungset, Mon Dec-31-18 12:00 PM
but apparently there are some red flags. anyone know more about this?

> Eric Musselman, Nevada Head Coach – He’s done well at Nevada, and has
> the NBA history, but we’ve heard there are some red flags that would
> keep UCLA from pursuing him.
2683186, A couple are public record:
Posted by Frank Longo, Mon Dec-31-18 12:35 PM
He had a DUI in the 2000s while with... the Kings, I think? Which is a long time ago but will be considered, obviously.

He also hired an assistant fired for sexual harassment at Berkeley, like, a month after his firing and publicly defended him. Which, in this climate, ain't great.

The way that his potential move to the Golden Bears went down also raises a lot of question marks-- it seems like they met him twice and then he immediately pulled his name from contention, despite the suggestion that this was his dream job with a big raise. Maybe he thought he was worth more and they nickel-and-dimed him... but a lot of other people have suggested that perhaps Cal was dragging their feet due to these issues he apparently comes with. Which would certainly suggest that UCLA would likely do the same.

I don't know whether people only have this or whether there are whispers that his past lifestyle may hold more skeletons. Hard to say. But UCLA may choose to be risk-averse. Then again, Alford had his own shitty past dealing with rape victims, so maybe stuff like that won't deter Guerrero.
2683182, Murray Bartow the interim. Makes sense.
Posted by Frank Longo, Mon Dec-31-18 12:14 PM
They don't want to give Edney or any of the longer tenured assistant coaches the thought that they have a chance to be the new HC.
2683254, I saw talk about Earl Watson
Posted by DeepAztheRoot, Mon Dec-31-18 10:21 PM
He was pretty awful as the Suns head coach. Team was disorganized and lots of chatter about him not being much of disciplinarian/accountability when there needed to be. The one big caveat as with anything with the Suns, Robert Sarver is hands-on and one of the worst owners in professional sports.
2683305, after Kevin Ollie, Earl Watson is not getting that type of job....
Posted by Castro, Wed Jan-02-19 03:00 AM
2683375, Dan Dakich’s UCLA coach suggestions list is HILARIOUS.
Posted by Frank Longo, Wed Jan-02-19 07:13 PM
1. Calipari
2. Pitino
3. Steve Kerr
4. Izzo
5. Donovan
2683376, I'm trying to decide which name on that list is the most ridiculous
Posted by mrhood75, Wed Jan-02-19 07:34 PM
I'm thinking Kerr. Yep, he'll give up coaching a NBA dynasty team to go recruit college kids.
2683385, 1, 3, and 4 have a negative infinity chance of happening.
Posted by Frank Longo, Wed Jan-02-19 08:56 PM
>I'm thinking Kerr. Yep, he'll give up coaching a NBA dynasty
>team to go recruit college kids.

2 would 100% happen if they were insane, which they aren't. If they're not going to seriously pursue Musselman for his red flags, Pitino's entire resume is one giant red flag.

5 would be the most likely, but even then, he's getting six million per year in OKC! He'd have to cut his salary by half to go to a school where he's not getting charter flights and is rarely ever on national TV!
2683594, Bruin Report Online been hinting UCLA is ready to give $5m per
Posted by Kungset, Sat Jan-05-19 05:33 PM
To the right candidate
2683624, Shit. I’d holler at Kevin Keatts personally.
Posted by Frank Longo, Sat Jan-05-19 11:26 PM
Uptempo ball, wildly entertaining, a great coach and player developer.
2683701, So Bob Myers is helping with this coaching search....
Posted by Warren Coolidge, Sun Jan-06-19 07:31 PM
lots of rumors on different coaches being interested...


I saw Billy Donovan is interested.... I like him...I wouldn't mind that at all...

Musselman is solid as well....


Earl Watson is considered a favorite with a lot of Alums....with Bob Myers leading the search and so many former Bruins cheerleading for Earl to get the job ..It wouldn't surprise me... He's got AAU connections...don't hold a his brief NBA experience against him as a head coach...he's at that age range where his NBA experience would be a benefit attracting guys that are looking to get there...



but a hell no for Pitino....I'm cool on Jaime Dixon as well....