Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Alford going...where?
Hawk Central reports on the latest Steve Alford related rumors. The upshot: Indiana is not interested, but Missouri is, a curious twist in the story.
Why would Alford leave the Big 10 for Mizzou? The Press Citizen speculates on his success at his last job at what is now called Missouri State. The unsaid reason might be his ongoing estrangement with a significant portion of the Hawkeye nation over Alford's track record, particularly with respect to personnel. The incarcerated Pierre Pierce is the most visible example, but the list of defections and disappointments is long. Much of this damage may have been repaired over the course of this season's 18 game winning streak at Carver Hawkeye Arena, but with 4 key seniors leaving the team and a rebuilding year on the horizon, perhaps Alford feels he might make a move while his stock is on the rebound.
Those supporting an Alford departure have often pointed to UNI coach Greg McDermott as his probable successor. McDermott, after all, has shown that he can win out of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Surely he could do even better out of Iowa City. But that plan has been derailed, probably for eternity, as McDermott has just signed on with Iowa State.
Why would Alford leave the Big 10 for Mizzou? The Press Citizen speculates on his success at his last job at what is now called Missouri State. The unsaid reason might be his ongoing estrangement with a significant portion of the Hawkeye nation over Alford's track record, particularly with respect to personnel. The incarcerated Pierre Pierce is the most visible example, but the list of defections and disappointments is long. Much of this damage may have been repaired over the course of this season's 18 game winning streak at Carver Hawkeye Arena, but with 4 key seniors leaving the team and a rebuilding year on the horizon, perhaps Alford feels he might make a move while his stock is on the rebound.
Those supporting an Alford departure have often pointed to UNI coach Greg McDermott as his probable successor. McDermott, after all, has shown that he can win out of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Surely he could do even better out of Iowa City. But that plan has been derailed, probably for eternity, as McDermott has just signed on with Iowa State.
McDermott, 41, had a 90-63 record and three NCAA Tournament appearances in five seasons at Northern Iowa. The Panthers lost to Georgetown in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday. He has a 221-127 career coaching record at Northern Iowa, Wayne State and North Dakota State.
"This was a heart-wrenching decision for me," McDermott said. "I left a special place. The University of Northern Iowa is a big part of who I am, but this place was special enough to get me away."
"He will bring stability to the program," said former Iowa State all-American Gary Thompson, who assisted Pollard in the coaching search. "He is an Iowa kid, which adds a little bit more in this search. It is great for an Iowan to be coaching in the Big 12 and Iowa State."
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