Steve Alford didn’t even make it to Pac-12 play this year before being fired at UCLA, and here are five candidates to replace him.
After UCLA’s exit in the First Four of the NCAA Tournament last year, Steve Alford was on the hot seat going into this season. But a 73-58 home loss to Liberty, the Bruins’ fourth straight to drop their record to 7-6 on the season, brought a report overnight Sunday that Alford would be fired. On Monday morning, the move was made official.
UCLA never advanced past the Sweet 16 in five full seasons under Alford, with one conference tournament title. A .663 overall winning percentage (124-63 record) and being 20 games over .500 in Pac-12 play (55-35) would be good enough at most schools, but UCLA is still bound to its tradition and expectations are high.
Murry Bartow will step in as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. But a broad search for Alford’s permanent replacement is set to launch, and it’s worth wondering what kind of big names might be attracted to the idea of trying to bring UCLA back to national prominence.
Alford’s issues were not rooted in ability to attract talent, with multiple highly-ranked recruits and recruiting classes. Someone will be able to take that baton capably, and ideally coach up that talent while hopefully having everyone healthy.
Looking toward 2019-20, here are five candidates to replace Alford as UCLA men’s basketball coach.
5. Earl Watson
Watson is a former UCLA point guard, with 118 games (over three seasons, 33-85 record) as (former) head coach of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns on his resume. He has no college coaching experience, even as an assistant coach, but he’s young (39) with ties to the Los Angeles area. That would all work to his advantage, and perhaps bring quick success.
ESPN’s Jeff Borzello has listed Watson among a few likely candidates to replace Alford. Avery Johnson went to Alabama with a similar profile, and has had solid success now into his fourth season. UCLA is a different animal, with far different expectations, but Johnson proved NBA experience can work at the college level. Watson may get the opportunity at his alma mater, if he wants it.