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UNM Men's Basketball: Alford Expected to Become a Lobo
College coaches say the Iowa coach could replace Ritchie McKay as early as Friday.
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Steve Alford leaving Iowa to take the New Mexico job is close to a done deal, according to numerous sources.
New Mexico told Winthrop's Gregg Marshall, a top candidate for the job, that they were targeting another candidate, a source close to Winthrop said.
New UNM President David Schmidly, good friends with former Alford coach Bobby Knight from their days together at Texas Tech, was involved in the process, according to a UNM source.
Though he wouldn't confirm or deny Alford's candidacy Wednesday, Athletics Director Paul Krebs said a deal to replace Ritchie McKay could be finalized in the next two days.
"It looks like we're close," Krebs said. "It's not over until it's over. I know that's a trite saying, but it's true."
Knight, currently the Red Raiders coach, made the deal happen, numerous college coaches said.
"There are three guys in college basketball who are the most influential -- Dean Smith, Bobby Knight and Rick Pitino," one Division-I assistant said.
Alford has a 152-106 record with two Big Ten tournament titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances in eight seasons with the Hawkeyes.
But the pressure from Iowa City never eased on Alford's shoulders. Fans never fully accepted Alford, who won one Tournament game and sported a mediocre 61-67 record in Big Ten play. Alford's career was more glorious as a player, when he led the Knight-coached Indiana Hoosiers to a national championship in 1987.
The Hawkeyes went 17-14 last season in a rebuilding year. In 2005-06, Iowa received a No. 3 seed in the Tournament but lost in the first round to Northwestern State.
The Lobos have never advanced to the Sweet 16. Neither did Alford while at Iowa.
A source close to Marshall said New Mexico is willing to offer $750,000 and up for the new coach. Alford makes a reported $925,000 per year plus a $300,000 longevity bonus given annually.
