Report: Alford leaves Iowa for New Mexico

Mar 22, 2007 - 8:26 PM ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (Ticker) -- Steve Alford stayed loyal to Iowa last year when his alma mater was searching for a coach. Now it appears he's ready to enter "The Pit."

The Albuquerque Tribune is reporting that Alford has reached an agreement in principle to become the coach at New Mexico.

A news conference is expected to be scheduled for Friday.

Alford compiled a record of 152-106 in eight seasons at Iowa. However, the Hawkeyes finished 17-14 and failed to make either the NCAA Tournament or the NIT this past season.

After guiding Iowa to the Big Ten Conference tournament title in 2006, Alford was rumored to be headed to Indiana, where he starred as a player. But Alford decided to stay at Iowa, and the Hoosiers hired coach Kelvin Sampson away from Oklahoma.

Now apparently the time was right for Alford to leave and try to revitalize a program that made just one NCAA Tournament appearance in five years under former coach Ritchie McKay.

New Mexico finished 15-17 this past season, including a 4-12 mark in the Mountain West Conference.

The Lobos play their home games at "The Pit" and enjoyed much success under coach Dave Bliss, making seven trips to the NCAA Tournament between 1991-99.

Alford coached Southwest Missouri State to the NCAA Tournament's "Sweet 16" before replacing Dr. Tom Davis at Iowa in 1999. He coached the Hawkeyes to two Big Ten titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances.