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Just so there are no misunderstandings, the A-plus handed out to Paul Krebs for hiring Iowa's Steve Alford was a grade given only to the University of New Mexico's director of athletics.

The hire of Alford, the former Indiana Golden Boy of prep and college fame, was probably the best Krebs could have done considering which available coaches might actually come to play ball in the Mountain West and in Albuquerque.

Alford has yet to receive a grade.

Alford has yet to enter the classroom called The Pit.

Alford has yet to beat Brigham Young, Utah or UNLV.

But we want Alford to succeed. We want Alford to take us to the NCAA promised land. So here's a cheat sheet of dos and don'ts to help Alford make the grade at UNM:

Play defense. The Pit really thrives on defense. It is the thing that most excites the crowd and intimidates the foe. We hear it also helps win on the road.

Go big. The keepers of the keys in The Pit too often live and die by the trey. Mostly, the trey failed them. That's kind of why you have this job. Get some big boys. Kick the ball inside. Rebound. Defend the rim.

Let Lobos fans in. The family stuff is cool only if you are wise enough to extend the family of Lobos to all those working stiffs who fill The Pit - and pay all that taxpayers' money flowing into your bank account. Figure out how to make them feel that you care and that they belong.

Open your wallet. You are the highest paid state employee in a state full of lower- and middle-class families. We all know you have the big salary, the incentives, the free cars, the country club memberships, the housing allowances, etc. Don't be cheap.

Open practices. OK, not all the time because then some of the local media types might actually begin to understand basketball. But twice a week. Let the public in, too. Push us to the top of The Pit. We don't care. We just want to be part of the family. We want to see The Golden Boy coach.

Don't ever, ever use the term "Golden Boy." Or "Mr. Indiana". We know all about that past glory stuff. We will look at its use as a prop, much like Ritchie McKay used an old letterman's jacket, his Christian faith, and the term "family."

Don't be arrogant. Arrogance is simply rudeness in a different form. Lobos fans might do some weighing, too. We recognize a snob like we recognize a green-chili burger.

Keep your faith. We hear you are a strong Christian. The feeling here is that Christian beliefs are good things. There are lots of worse values to attach to. Just don't rub it in our noses like your predecessor did.

Outdress Reggie. It hurts that an Aggie is the best-dressed coach in the state. You already have better hair than Theus. Find a better tailor, too. Oh, yeah, and out-recruit him.

Recruit nationally. Sure, go for those corn-fed gunners in the Midwest. Peck at the East Coast talent a bit. But remember your lifeblood is the Southwest - as in California, Texas, New Mexico and Southwest Airlines.

Build a foundation: The JC quick-fix is OK now and then, here and there. But go find some high school studs. (Tell them Reggie is going to Kentucky).

Smile. We noticed at Iowa you didn't smile much. Probably all that football and wrestling in the air. Show us some teeth. Work The Pit. Make it rumble again.

Fear The Linz. Oh, you have no idea what we're talking about here. But you will - oh, yes, you will.