Does this narrow the MBB search? Maybe helping us?

[USFan]

UNM reportedly working on deal for Iowa's Alford

Iowa's Steve Alford and New Mexico are working out the final details of a contract, and unless there is an unexpected impasse, he will be named the next head coach of the Lobos at a Friday news conference, multiple sources told ESPN.com Wednesday.

New Mexico zeroed in on Alford within the past two weeks while also waiting to talk to Winthrop's Gregg Marshall whose team was playing in the NCAA Tournament. But according to multiple sources, UNM told Marshall on Tuesday that they were going with another candidate.

The courtship of Alford started in large part because new UNM president, David Schmidly, was formerly at Texas Tech, home of Alford's college coach, Bob Knight.

According to sources, the Lobos see landing a Big Ten coach to replace the outgoing Ritchie McKay as a major coup. Alford won two Big Ten tournament titles and took the Hawkeyes to the NCAAs three times -- in 2001, 2005 and '06 -- while also winning the 1987 national title as a player at Indiana.

Alford has been at Iowa for eight seasons after leading Missouri State (then Southwest Missouri State) to the Sweet 16 in 1999.

Alford has a 152-106 record in eight seasons at Iowa, and is under contract through 2011.

Sources close to Alford said he was looking for a new challenge after going through some tense seasons in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have had some issues off the court, notably Pierre Pierce's legal troubles during Alford's tenure. Once the Hawkeyes' leading scorer, Pierce was charged with assault in 2002 and then in 2005 sentenced to prison for a slew of charges involving an incident with a former girlfriend.

Sources said Alford was looking for a school that is passionate about basketball first and foremost after being at a football-first school. UNM athletic director Paul Krebs has pledged to make the Lobos a national program, bumping up the coach's salary more than $500,000 in an attempt to get it closer to Alford's nearly $1 million deal with Iowa.

Alford coached the Hawkeyes to a 17-14 record this season, and a 9-7 record in the Big Ten, tied with NCAA-bound teams Illinois and Purdue for fourth place. The Hawkeyes, though, weren't invited to the NIT.

The Lobos went to one NCAA Tournament under McKay, losing in the first round in 2005. The Lobos' NCAA history is brief as Dave Bliss took the Lobos to seven appearances from 1991-99. Prior to Bliss, the Lobos made only three other appearances in the Dance in their history. Krebs would be banking on Alford bringing the Lobos back into contention for a bid on a regular basis.

The Lobos are hoping, even though Alford had received negative attention when the Hawkeyes struggled, that Lobos fans will embrace a national name in the sport to lead the program.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2807516

Does this help at all?  Marshall was told no.  Does Marshall become a target now?

[Joe]

Marshall to Iowa. I love the irony aspect. Book it.

I would LOVE to get him here.

[USFan]

Marshall to Iowa. I love the irony aspect. Book it.

I would LOVE to get him here.

JOESPN... please answer the question(s).

Does this increase our chance?  Weren't you thinking that he was close to signing with NM?

I feel optimistic... you said 'love'...

[Guest BasketBull.]

What numbers am I thinking of, Doug?

Can I go ahead and call you "Doug"?

[USFan]

This would be one heck of a pick...

[South_Florida_Flip]

It only hurts us if Marshall has an interest in the Iowa job and they have an interest in him. Hopefully DW is finalizing a deal with now if this report of Alford to UNM is true.

[Joe]

I thought for sure Marshall was going to be the man in New Mexico, there was even a newspaper in AZ saying it was pretty much done at 750k a year.

I guess when you can somehow pull a guy the caliber of Alford, you have to take the chance. (even though I think he's not a great coach)

It certainly helps us. What might hurt is the fact that $750k was what he was looking at making at NM. I dunno if we're gonna be willing to offer the same.

[CoralSpringsBull]

I was just reading Andy Katz's column on ESPN.com. (I don't know how to get the link here). He says Doug Woolard was at Gregg Marshall's house Tuesday night. Gregg Marshall was considering flying to Tampa tonight (Wednesday) for further talks with our AD. According to Andy Katz if Marshall does not get the USF job then Fran Faschilla (ESPN college basketball analyst and former St. John's coach) might be considered for the job here. The article also says USF wanted Anthony Grant but he is staying at VCU. Very interesting stuff!

[USFan]

CoralSprings... Is it an "insider" article?

If not... copy and paste the address on here.

THANKS!  I need some news.  I'm trying to read this paper that I have to finish tonight, but I keep refreshing my screen to see if there are any updates.

I must have checked the blogs 10 times within the last 2 hours.

I need a fix.

Thanks!

[Held_AccountaBull]

I was just reading Andy Katz's column on ESPN.com. (I don't know how to get the link here). He says Doug Woolard was at Gregg Marshall's house Tuesday night. Gregg Marshall was considering flying to Tampa tonight (Wednesday) for further talks with our AD. According to Andy Katz if Marshall does not get the USF job then Fran Faschilla (ESPN college basketball analyst and former St. John's coach) might be considered for the job here. The article also says USF wanted Anthony Grant but he is staying at VCU. Very interesting stuff!

man thats some good info, hope andy katz isn't lying. hiring marshall would be a great thing for this program