Steve Alford new UCLA coach.

[Otule's Glass Eye]

Honestly did anyone really expect Buzz to go to UCLA? I think all the chatter on here was more that everyone is pissed that the sports media still thinks we are just a stepping stone.

I didn't expect him to bolt but yes I'm always annoyed that MU is seen as a stepping stone. All the UCLA and Minn. fans seemed to think they had him locked up, saying they were much better jobs than MU, which annoys me.

[Blackhat]

I think Alford has improved as a coach.  If he can pull the Cali talent he should be ok.   Not the bang hire but it may work out for them.  

If Alford is worth 2 mil how much is Buzz worth?

Getting a lot of positive comments from people when I was out wearing my MU hat.  Great publicity.  

[forgetful]

Also goes to show you what a new 10-year contract with a hefty raise is worth.  Less than 2-weeks old and on the next plane out of town.

[Blackhat]

UCLA vs New Mexico though.   Is that much of a choice?  I know which job I take.

[GGGG]

I think Alford has improved as a coach.  If he can pull the Cali talent he should be ok.   Not the bang hire but it may work out for them.  

If Alford is worth 2 mil how much is Buzz worth?

Alford...18 years as a D1 head coach...4 tourney wins.  Only S16 was with Southwest Missouri.

Buzz...6 years as a head coach...8 tourney wins.  Three S16s and one E8.

[Otule's Glass Eye]

UCLA vs New Mexico though.   Is that much of a choice?  I know which job I take.

If he doesn't get past the first round within 3-5 years he's toast though. Should've stayed at NM where the standards are lower and there's less pressure.

[Blackhat]

Hopefully Dick Strong is still part of our posse. Did the admin diminish his role, haven't heard much about him lately.   I know Cottingham had Dick interview Buzz before he was hired, signaling a strong influence.

[The Process]

Buzz to New Mexico?

FIFY

[Blackhat]

If he doesn't get past the first round within 3-5 years he's toast though. Should've stayed at NM where the standards are lower and there's less pressure.

If you're a coach with any self confidence I don't know you'd shrink from leaving NM for UCLA.   That is one way to look at your situation though.

[KenoshaWarrior]

UCLA vs New Mexico though.   Is that much of a choice?  I know which job I take.

If you enjoy Blue Meth than New Mexico might be a better job #heisenberg

[The Equalizer]

If Alford is worth 2 mil how much is Buzz worth?

Paradoxically less, if you apply basic economics.

Think about it from this perspective--if the pay were equal, is the MU or UCLA job better right now?  Read the threads and you'll find that most MU fans would argue that the MU job is far superior.

So pay being equal, a candidate should prefer the Marquette job.  UCLA would have to pay more to compensate for the perceived disadvantages of thier opening.

[Blackhat]

 I don't know what UCLA paid.

Buzz has a far greater resume than Alford plus a lot of potential as he's still very young.

If your worth to a program is determined through success plus competition for your services then...

[Ellenson Guerrero]

Buzz to New Mexico?

I actually think that would be more plausible than Buzz to Minny. Not saying there is even a 1% chance of it happening, just commenting on how ridiculous the Gophers were.

[NavinRJohnson]

OMG. LMFAO. Steve Alford. Good grief.

[Ellenson Guerrero]

Paradoxically less, if you apply basic economics.

Think about it from this perspective--if the pay were equal, is the MU or UCLA job better right now?  Read the threads and you'll find that most MU fans would argue that the MU job is far superior.

So pay being equal, a candidate should prefer the Marquette job.  UCLA would have to pay more to compensate for the perceived disadvantages of thier opening.

I think what he was getting at was that the marginal benefit of having Buzz as opposed to Alford is greater, not commenting on what is required to land the coach.

[Pakuni]

So they swapped out Howland for Alford.

[#MUBB]

“@darrenrovell: Alford 3 DAYS AGO on New Mexico: “I gave a lot to stay here. I took away incentives that I’ve made for 5 consecutive years.””

What a clown. Am I wrong to think Buzz would never play us like that?

[Ellenson Guerrero]

“@darrenrovell: Alford 3 DAYS AGO on New Mexico: “I gave a lot to stay here. I took away incentives that I’ve made for 5 consecutive years.””

What a clown. Am I wrong to think Buzz would never play us like that?

As long as a coach goes about leaving the right way (meeting with players face to face, not hiding his negotiations from the administration), I can't fault any coach for leaving for a bigger job. Players should be able to transfer as easily as coaches can move schools, but thats the NCAA's problem, not the coaches.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Alford...18 years as a D1 head coach...4 tourney wins.  Only S16 was with Southwest Missouri.

Buzz...6 years as a head coach...8 tourney wins.  Three S16s and one E8.

Haven't we learned just from the last week or so the tourney is a crap shoot and always will be?  We got lucky to even win one game this year and now we play for a Final Four.  It's that razor thin on how your team does in the NCAAs.

There are years when top teams have got knocked out early...or years when a team that loses twice to Lipscomb, loses to Maine, Mercer, East Tennessee State, Stetson can get hot and make it to the Sweet 16.  You play one bad half, bad shooting day, etc...you're done.  It's not best of 7.

Who knows if this is a good hire, I'll wait my 5 years like I always do because I've seen too many Steve Lavin, Bruiser Flint, Quinn Snyder, etc hires. 

I do find it interesting that UCLA is going back to an Indiana native to get the program started again.  The fact he is an IU grad is also interesting. 

This will be an interesting thread to "hoopin" in 5 years.  He might crater and there will be "I told you so" from some or he might do very well and there will be "I told you so" from others.   

[GGGG]

Haven't we learned just from the last week or so the tourney is a crap shoot and always will be?  We got lucky to even win one game this year and now we play for a Final Four.  It's that razor thin on how your team does in the NCAAs.

Oh my goodness...are you kidding?

It has been 14 years since he has been in the S16...and you think that's just because the tournament is a crapshoot?  Are you Alford's agent or something?

EDIT:  And this is so classic Chicos....trolling me with the "lucky" angle.  Not biting dude.  Go seek your attention elsewhere.

[forgetful]

If you're a coach with any self confidence I don't know you'd shrink from leaving NM for UCLA.   That is one way to look at your situation though.

If you're a coach with any self confidence, you don't need the UCLA job to prove your status/worth.  You know who you are and look for the opportunity that is best for your health and your family.

[NavinRJohnson]

He's a bad person who frankly hasn't accomplished all that much as a coach.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

I do find it interesting that UCLA is going back to an Indiana native to get the program started again.  The fact he is an IU grad is also interesting. 

whats interesting about that?

[Aughnanure]

Oh my goodness...are you kidding?

It has been 14 years since he has been in the S16...and you think that's just because the tournament is a crapshoot?  Are you Alford's agent or something?

EDIT:  And this is so classic Chicos....trolling me with the "lucky" angle.  Not biting dude.  Go seek your attention elsewhere.

He's just pissy cause his 3rd favorite team is the one that is left.

[MarquetteDano]

Who knows if this is a good hire, I'll wait my 5 years like I always do because I've seen too many Steve Lavin, Bruiser Flint, Quinn Snyder, etc hires. 

Either way you must admit Chicos for all of the talk of the administration trying to "clean up" things this hire seems a bit strange.  Alford has a bit of a checkered past at Iowa.