Nevada reaches 10-year deal with former UCLA coach Steve Alford
Just days after losing Eric Musselman to Arkansas, Nevada has found its next head coach.
Nevada and former UCLA coach Steve Alford agreed to a 10-year deal on Thursday, athletic director Doug Knuth announced. Alford will be officially introduced on Friday.
"To be able to continue my career in a tight-knit community that has demonstrated its support for the basketball program is exactly the opportunity that Tanya and I were looking for, and we are thrilled to be in Northern Nevada," Alford said in a statement. "I can't wait to get to work as we look to build off the established tradition and momentum of this great program. I want this to be the last stop of my coaching career."
Alford compiled a 124-63 record over six seasons at UCLA, reaching the NCAA tournament four times. He was fired by Bruins on Dec. 31, 2018 after a 7-6 start to the season.
The 54-year-old previously coached in the Mountain West Conference while at New Mexico from 2007-13. He won four regular season conference championships, the Mountain West tournament twice and reached the NCAA tournament three times with the Lobos.
Alford has reached the NCAA tournament 11 times in his career, but has never made it further than the Sweet 16. Prior to New Mexico, Alford spent four seasons at Missouri State and eight seasons at Iowa, where he won the Big Ten tournament twice.
"There is no better coach than Steve Alford to continue the rise of Nevada basketball and we are excited for the next chapter," Knuth said in a statement. "To get a leader of coach Alford's caliber is a testament to the support of our community and our University. There is a great tradition of Wolfpack basketball and the future is even brighter."
Musselman agreed to become the new coach at Arkansas last week, signing a five-year deal with the Razorbacks. He went 110-34 in four years with the Wolfpack, reaching the NCAA tournament three times.
More from Yahoo Sports:
