Report: UCLA fires Steve Alford as men's basketball coach
Steve Alford is out as men’s basketball coach at UCLA after a fourth consecutive loss over the weekend, according to multiple reports early Monday morning.
BREAKING: UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero has decided to terminate Steve Alford as basketball coach, @TheAthleticCBB has learned. Official announcement expected tomorrow. No indication yet who will serve as interim coach for remainder of the season.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) December 31, 2018
Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports confirmed the news.
Can confirm the multiple reports that Steve Alford will be terminated today at UCLA. When Black Monday extends to college basketball, it's a shock.
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) December 31, 2018
The Bruins (7-6) started the season 4-0 but lost their last four leading up to Pac-12 play, which begins Thursday against Stanford. UCLA was blown out at home Saturday by Liberty, 73-58, and committed 24 turnovers. The team made six of 22 3-pointers.
It also lost handily to Cincinnati, 93-64, in mid-December.
Alford, 54, was in his sixth year coaching the Bruins. He compiled a 124-63 record with one Pac-12 tournament title and four NCAA appearances, three of which were trips to the Sweet 16.
UCLA has been compiling a list of candidates to replace him, per reports.
So per multiple reports, Steve Alford has officially been fired at UCLA. Have heard that UCLA has quietly been putting together a list of candidates for weeks. Names I've heard most are Earl Watson and Eric Musselman. Guy they want with no chance of getting: Billy Donovan
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) December 31, 2018
The official announcement is reported to be Monday with an interim coach not yet solidified.
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