Picking UNM's Next Men's Basketball Coach
21 March 2007, 3:00 PM MDT
Read more about Mark Smith
Read more about Rick Wright
Transcript
Carlos:
Do you think UNM is moving too slow in getting a new coach? Also why do you think they are so tight lip in the new coach?
Mark Smith:
I think they are bing very meticulous because of the perception last time that former AD Rudy Davalos moved too quickly and made a bad hire -- two bad hires.
Mike:
Do you think UNM is makeing the Same mistake with Alford as they did with McKay, only this time spending twice as much money?
Mark Smith:
First off, we don't know the proposed contract amount. A lot of figures are being tossed about. It might not be as much as people think.
If Alford (or whoever the new coach is) wins eight games in the Mountain West wouldn't that be worth the money?
If Alford (or whoever the new coach is) wins eight games in the Mountain West wouldn't that be worth the money?
John Doyle:
Whom do you think the University of New Mexico will sign as its new coach of the men's basketball team?
Mark Smith:
We are hearing Steve Alford will be hired. We were the first ones to predict he was the top candidate last week.
We are in the process of confirming that he will really be getting the job. Reporter Mark Smith is cutting short his answers to work this story. Rick Wright and sports editor Sam Aselstine will continue this chat.
We are in the process of confirming that he will really be getting the job. Reporter Mark Smith is cutting short his answers to work this story. Rick Wright and sports editor Sam Aselstine will continue this chat.
Daniel:
Is UNM liable for any sort of buy-out to Iowa for the services of Steve Alford?
In addition, since Ritchie Mckay is a candidate for the Liberty job. If he gets hired, does that help relieve UNM's obligation to pay Mckay his buy-out?
In addition, since Ritchie Mckay is a candidate for the Liberty job. If he gets hired, does that help relieve UNM's obligation to pay Mckay his buy-out?
Rick Wright:
Great questions. There are so many names are out there we haven't got to the nitty gritty on any candidates. Read the Albuquerque Journal sports section in coming days for all the answers.
Jay:
There is too much hype with Alford, etc. Do you think the front runner is a name we haven't heard yet?
Rick Wright:
No. We certainly believed all along that was a possibility. Now it is looking more and more like Alford is the man.
John:
Why UNM's propensity to go after established, mediocre Division I coaches? We saw where McKay got the school. Why the hesitation to go after assistants in prestigious programs and under great coaches, such as UCLA and Texas? We saw how Roy Williams did after leaving his assistant position under Dean Smith (although Kansas was a better job to enter into).
Rick Wright:
Paul Krebs expressed concern about an assistant being able to handle the fishbowl effect at UNM. That said a great many top assistants namely Billy Gillispie and Jamie Dixon, for two, have shown they can handle a big time job. My preference would have been a young up-and-comer whether a head coach or an assistant. But if Alford is the guy all anyone can do is go from here.
Edwina:
Why should Alford be the frontrunner? His record and his popularity (or lack thereof) seem to be on a par with McKay's when he was hired.
Rick Wright:
Alford's record is certainly better than McKay's, but it nethertheless is spotty at best and unimpressive considering Iowa's history. I wonder, as everyone does, why UNM is so hot after a coach who's bailing from the job he has.
Mark Smith:
We are wondering the same thing, but he's a name and Krebs wants a name that he feels will sell tickets. And possibly attract national attention.
Steve:
The Journal the first to predict? Haven't you guys thrown out every single possible name out there?
Rick Wright:
No, we haven't reported Don Haskins as a candidate nor Coach K or John Wooden -- the only two Krebs said should be ruled out.
Krebs has done a good job keeping the names secret. We have tried to be circumspect in the names we have put in to print, but we also knew readers were hungry for every scrap they could get.
We focused more on certain names than others -- Alford for one -- because there was more solid information pointing in their direction.
As we reported just before the chat began:
Written by ABQjournal
Wednesday, 21 March 2007
After more than a week of rumor and speculation, Iowa athletic director Gary Barta confirmed on Wednesday to Journal sports writer Mark Smith that Hawkeyes coach Steve Alford is a candidate for the University of New Mexico men's coaching job.
Barta released a statement to the Journal on Wednesday, saying "University of New Mexico athletic director Paul Krebs has asked permission to contact coach Steve Alford...I have granted permission to New Mexico officials. It will be coach Alford's decision as to whether he chooses to visit with them."
The Journal first reported Alford as a primary candidate last week. Speculation in the coaching industry has been it is Alford's job if he wants it.
Alford has been on the hot seat in Iowa, mainly because of his 61-67 Big Ten record and having won just one NCAA Tournament game in his eight seasons at the school.
Krebs has done a good job keeping the names secret. We have tried to be circumspect in the names we have put in to print, but we also knew readers were hungry for every scrap they could get.
We focused more on certain names than others -- Alford for one -- because there was more solid information pointing in their direction.
As we reported just before the chat began:
Written by ABQjournal
Wednesday, 21 March 2007
After more than a week of rumor and speculation, Iowa athletic director Gary Barta confirmed on Wednesday to Journal sports writer Mark Smith that Hawkeyes coach Steve Alford is a candidate for the University of New Mexico men's coaching job.
Barta released a statement to the Journal on Wednesday, saying "University of New Mexico athletic director Paul Krebs has asked permission to contact coach Steve Alford...I have granted permission to New Mexico officials. It will be coach Alford's decision as to whether he chooses to visit with them."
The Journal first reported Alford as a primary candidate last week. Speculation in the coaching industry has been it is Alford's job if he wants it.
Alford has been on the hot seat in Iowa, mainly because of his 61-67 Big Ten record and having won just one NCAA Tournament game in his eight seasons at the school.
Steve:
Rick I noticed last week in your column you started ripping Alford and his coaching credentials. Now that he may be our coach do we get to look forward to more of the same?
Rick Wright:
If he is the coach, then he deserves a fair shake from everyone. Others may disagree, but I think Ritchie McKay, despite the lack of enthusiasm when he was hired, got that fair shake. All he had to do was build a consistent winner. He didn't.
If Alford comes here and does that, great. I'll be happy to eat the column to which you refer.
If Alford comes here and does that, great. I'll be happy to eat the column to which you refer.
Rick Carter:
Being an Iowa Hawkeye fan I am encouraging all fellows Hawkeyes to vote for Steve Alford in your ABQ Journal Poll. Watch his poll numbers grow. Hope you get him.
Rick Wright:
Thanks for voting.
We kind of figured that was happening already.
We kind of figured that was happening already.
Brad:
I am in Des Moines and am wondering if you can confirm that Alford has told members of the Iowa team that he is leaving?
Rick Wright:
At this point, we can not confirm that.
Alec:
Don't know if my last post went through. First thank you both for your hard work in getting the story in this coaching process. Do you think Bobby Knight will encourage Alford to take the position? Is Gregg Marshall the number two guy if Alford declines? Does UNM feel more pressure to hire asap now that there are so many coaching vacancies, therefore you think a decision should come very soon?
Rick Wright:
Thanks for the kind words.
It has been rumored that Knight in fact has contacted UNM on Alford's behalf, but that is unconfirmed. Marshall might well be no. 2, but unlike Alford he is comfortable and appreciated where he is. Also, Marshall doesn't have a name that would put fannies in seats while the program is undergoing reconstruction.
It is quite possible that Paul Krebs does feel some pressure with more jobs coming open. That might indeed cause a decision to be made sooner rather than later.
Thanks for all your questions and input and be sure to buy the Albuquerque Journal every day.
It has been rumored that Knight in fact has contacted UNM on Alford's behalf, but that is unconfirmed. Marshall might well be no. 2, but unlike Alford he is comfortable and appreciated where he is. Also, Marshall doesn't have a name that would put fannies in seats while the program is undergoing reconstruction.
It is quite possible that Paul Krebs does feel some pressure with more jobs coming open. That might indeed cause a decision to be made sooner rather than later.
Thanks for all your questions and input and be sure to buy the Albuquerque Journal every day.