Iowa head coach Steve Alford and the University of New Mexico have agreed to the final details of a contract and Alford will introduced as the team's new coach at a news conference Friday, according a to a report on ESPN.com that cited multiple sources from both camps.
While an agreement between Alford and the Mountain West Conference school hadn't been made publicly as of late Wednesday night, a source told *The Daily Iowan* that Alford was expected to tell his players he was leaving at a team meeting Thursday.
The eighth-year coach, who was spending time at a vacation home in Sarsasota, Fl. this week, is expected to travel to Albuquerque for the news conference Friday, according to ESPN.com's Andy Katz.
After the University of Denver went elsewhere in their search for a new head coach, it appears that Hawkeye associate head coach Craig Neal is heading to UNM alongside Alford, as the two sides were able to reach a "significant" financial agreement for Neal, according to ESPN.com.
Sources said Alford was thrilled with the commitment from new UNM athletic director Paul Krebs and impressed by the school's decision to upgrade the famed Pit, which has a $12 million dollar commitment from state government that may continue to increase, according to ESPN.com.
While no official release for the signing has been made, first-year athletics director Gary Barta has only indicated this week that permission had been granted to Alford to speak with New Mexico officials.
"University of New Mexico Athletics Director Paul Krebs has asked permission to contact coach Steve Alford in regard to the head-coaching position at New Mexico," he said in a release. "I have granted that permission to New Mexico officials.
"It will be Coach Alford's decision as to whether he chooses to visit with them."
And at this point, Alford seems to have made what could be announced as a final decision later this afternoon - UNM appears to be his new home.Alford has a 152-106 record in eight seasons with the Hawkeyes - marred by two separate off-court incidents with former star Pierre Pierce that divided the team's fans. Iowa reached the NCAA Tournament three times under Alford, winning one game in 2001. The Hawkeyes captured Big Ten Tournament titles in 2001 and 2006.
The Hawkeyes went 17-14 this season and failed to reach the postseason for the second time in Alford's tenure. Last year, Iowa earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament but lost to Northwestern State in the first round.
In March 2006, Alford was reported to be a top candidate for coaching vacancies at Indiana and Missouri, but nothing materialized. The Hoosiers didn't seek an interview with their former All-American guard. Alford wasn't interested in the Tigers' pursuit.
The coach remains under contract until June 30, 2011, with a guaranteed annual salary of $925,000. If he is dismissed without cause, Alford must be paid $500,000 for each year remaining on the Iowa deal, according to the contract.
Continue to check back at www.dailyiowan.com for continued updates as more information becomes available regarding coach Alford and the New Mexico opening.
While an agreement between Alford and the Mountain West Conference school hadn't been made publicly as of late Wednesday night, a source told *The Daily Iowan* that Alford was expected to tell his players he was leaving at a team meeting Thursday.
The eighth-year coach, who was spending time at a vacation home in Sarsasota, Fl. this week, is expected to travel to Albuquerque for the news conference Friday, according to ESPN.com's Andy Katz.
After the University of Denver went elsewhere in their search for a new head coach, it appears that Hawkeye associate head coach Craig Neal is heading to UNM alongside Alford, as the two sides were able to reach a "significant" financial agreement for Neal, according to ESPN.com.
Sources said Alford was thrilled with the commitment from new UNM athletic director Paul Krebs and impressed by the school's decision to upgrade the famed Pit, which has a $12 million dollar commitment from state government that may continue to increase, according to ESPN.com.
While no official release for the signing has been made, first-year athletics director Gary Barta has only indicated this week that permission had been granted to Alford to speak with New Mexico officials.
"University of New Mexico Athletics Director Paul Krebs has asked permission to contact coach Steve Alford in regard to the head-coaching position at New Mexico," he said in a release. "I have granted that permission to New Mexico officials.
"It will be Coach Alford's decision as to whether he chooses to visit with them."
And at this point, Alford seems to have made what could be announced as a final decision later this afternoon - UNM appears to be his new home.Alford has a 152-106 record in eight seasons with the Hawkeyes - marred by two separate off-court incidents with former star Pierre Pierce that divided the team's fans. Iowa reached the NCAA Tournament three times under Alford, winning one game in 2001. The Hawkeyes captured Big Ten Tournament titles in 2001 and 2006.
The Hawkeyes went 17-14 this season and failed to reach the postseason for the second time in Alford's tenure. Last year, Iowa earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament but lost to Northwestern State in the first round.
In March 2006, Alford was reported to be a top candidate for coaching vacancies at Indiana and Missouri, but nothing materialized. The Hoosiers didn't seek an interview with their former All-American guard. Alford wasn't interested in the Tigers' pursuit.
The coach remains under contract until June 30, 2011, with a guaranteed annual salary of $925,000. If he is dismissed without cause, Alford must be paid $500,000 for each year remaining on the Iowa deal, according to the contract.
Continue to check back at www.dailyiowan.com for continued updates as more information becomes available regarding coach Alford and the New Mexico opening.
