Fansided

5 candidates to replace Steve Alford at UCLA

By Brad Berreman

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins looks on in the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the CBS Sports Classic at the United Center on December 22, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins looks on in the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the CBS Sports Classic at the United Center on December 22, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images /

2. Fred Hoiberg

“The Mayor” of Ames, Iowa is currently unemployed after being fired by the Chicago Bulls earlier this season, and he doesn’t seem fully cut out to deal with the egos of NBA players as head coach. But he had a 115-56 record over five seasons (2010-2015) at Iowa State (his alma mater) prior to taking the Bulls’ job, with four 20-win seasons, four NCAA Tournament bids and two Big 12 Tournament titles. Leaving aside his 16-16 mark in his first season, the Cyclones went 99-40 (.712 win percentage) over Hoiberg’s final four seasons.

As much as that pedigree can be an actual asset on the recruiting trail, Hoiberg is a former player and front office assistant in the NBA as well.

Hoiberg once lamented the hassle of the recruiting grind, and from a wider view, a Midwest-rooted guy such as he is an odd fit for UCLA. But among available candidates to replace Alford, or any other college coach who may be fired between now and mid-April, Hoiberg will stand at or near the top of any list.