History of Steve Alford in Timeline

Steve Alford is an American college basketball coach and former professional player, currently the head coach for the Nevada Wolf Pack. He achieved prominence as a two-time All-American at Indiana University, leading the Hoosiers to a national championship in 1987. After a four-year NBA career, Alford transitioned to coaching, dedicating over 30 years to the profession at the college level.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

November 23, 1964: Steve Alford's Birth

On November 23, 1964, Stephen Todd Alford was born. He became a college basketball coach, former professional player, and head coach for the Nevada Wolf Pack.

1976: Hawkeyes failed to make NCAA

During the 2006–2007 season, Alford led the Hawkeyes to an 8–6 non-conference record (losing to in-state rivals Drake and Northern Iowa) and a 9–7 record in the Big Ten Conference (17–14 overall). It marked the first time since the 1976–1977 season that an Iowa team with a winning record has failed to make either the NCAA tournament or the NIT.

1977: Hawkeyes failed to make NCAA

1983: Indiana "Mr. Basketball" Award

In 1983, Steve Alford averaged 37.2 points per game and earned the Indiana "Mr. Basketball" award. His team advanced to the state quarterfinal but lost to Connersville in the state tournament.

1984: Upset victory in the NCAA tournament

In 1984, Steve Alford helped lead Indiana to an upset victory against the Michael Jordan-led North Carolina Tar Heels in the NCAA tournament.

1984: Selection to the US Olympic Basketball Team

In 1984, Steve Alford was selected to play on the US basketball team for the Summer Olympics, coached by Bob Knight. He averaged 10.3 points per game and won the gold medal with his teammates.

1985: NIT All-Tournament Team Selection

In 1985, as a sophomore, Steve Alford was named to the 1985 NIT All-Tournament team after the Hoosiers finished second behind UCLA.

1986: Profiled in 'Hoosiers' movie

In 1986, the movie Hoosiers was released. It reflected the "David versus Goliath" image of Indiana basketball, which Steve Alford embodied. At the time, Alford was playing for Indiana.

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1987: National Championship Win

In 1987, Steve Alford led the Indiana Hoosiers to a national championship.

1987: NBA Draft

In 1987, Steve Alford was drafted 26th in the NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks, playing four seasons in the NBA.

December 1989: Top Ten NCAA Basketball Players of the 1980s

In December 1989, The Sporting News named its top ten NCAA basketball players of the 1980s, and Steve Alford was listed at number ten.

1991: Head Coach at Manchester University

In 1991, Steve Alford began his college coaching career as head coach of the Division III Manchester University's basketball program in North Manchester, Indiana.

1993: Conference Tournament Title

In 1993, Manchester, under Steve Alford, won a conference tournament title.

1993: Indiana Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year

In 1993, Steve Alford was named the Indiana Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year.

1994: Conference Title for Manchester

In 1994, Manchester won a conference title under coach Steve Alford and competed in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

1994: Indiana Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year

In 1994, Steve Alford was named the Indiana Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year.

1995: Conference Title for Manchester and NCAA Division III Championship Appearance

In 1995, Manchester won a conference title under coach Steve Alford and advanced to the NCAA Division III championship game, finishing second in the nation.

1995: Head Coach at Southwest Missouri State University

In 1995, Steve Alford began his position as head coach at Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University).

1995: Indiana Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year

In 1995, Steve Alford was named the Indiana Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year.

March 22, 1999: Head Coach of Iowa Hawkeyes

On March 22, 1999, Steve Alford was named the head coach of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball program.

1999: Sweet 16 Appearance

In 1999, Steve Alford led the Bears to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament before losing to Duke.

1999: Induction into Manchester's Hall of Fame

In 1999, Steve Alford was inducted into Manchester's Hall of Fame.

2000: First Season at Iowa

During Steve Alford's first season as coach for Iowa in 2000, his team went 14–16.

2001: Hawkeyes' Conference Record Drops

During the 2001-02 season, the Hawkeyes' conference record dropped to 5–11, but they reached the finals of the Big Ten tournament before losing to Ohio State. They played in the National Invitation Tournament.

2001: Big Ten Tournament Win and NCAA Tournament Appearance

In 2001, Steve Alford's Iowa Hawkeyes won the Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament and earned a #7 seed in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, defeating Creighton in the first round but losing to Kentucky in the second round.

2003: NIT Appearance and Pierce Incident

In 2003, the Hawkeyes appeared in the NIT, losing to Georgia Tech in the third round. That season, leading scorer Pierre Pierce was charged with raping a female Iowa athlete.

2004: NIT Appearance for Iowa

In 2004, Iowa lost to St. Louis in the first round of the NIT to finish 16–13 despite a 9–7 conference record, the first winning Big Ten Conference record under Alford.

2005: Undefeated Season at Carver-Hawkeye Arena

During the 2005-2006 season, the Iowa Hawkeyes went undefeated at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

2005: NCAA Tournament Loss and Pierce Dismissal

In 2005, the Iowa Hawkeyes lost to Cincinnati in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Pierre Pierce was charged with sexual assault and dismissed from the team, affecting Alford's reputation among Iowa fans.

2006: Fails to make NCAA

2006: Big Ten Tournament Win and NCAA Tournament Loss

In 2006, the Iowa Hawkeyes won the Big Ten tournament and were seeded #3 in the NCAA tournament, but lost in the first round to Northwestern State.

March 23, 2007: Named Head Coach at the University of New Mexico

On March 23, 2007, Steve Alford was named head coach at the University of New Mexico, replacing Ritchie McKay. In his first year, Alford posted a 24-9 record, with the Lobos being eliminated in the first round of the NIT by Cal.

2007: Resignation from Iowa and Acceptance of New Mexico Coaching Position

At the conclusion of the 2006-2007 season, Steve Alford resigned from the University of Iowa to accept the coaching position at the University of New Mexico, marking a significant shift in his career.

2007: Fails to make NCAA

2010: Struggles During 2010-2011 Season

The 2010-2011 season started with Alford's group at 12-4 after non-conference play, but the team struggled to an 8-8 conference regular season record.

2011: ACL Injury and NIT Loss

In 2011, an ACL injury to Gary proved too much to overcome for the UNM squad during the MWC conference tournament. The 2010-2011 season ended with an NIT loss to Alabama 74-67.

2011: Rough Start to the 2011-2012 Season

The 2011-2012 season began with a rough patch. UNM was picked to win the league for the first time in Alford's five years at the helm, but the team started with a questionable 2-2 record.

2012: MWC Tournament Title

In 2012, Alford and his Lobos prevailed to a 69-58 conference tournament title. UNM received a fifth seed in the NCAA West region and defeated Casper Ware and the Long Beach State 49ers in their first game of the NCAA tournament before losing to the Louisville Cardinals.

2012: Mountain West Regular Season Conference Title

In the 2012-2013 season, Alford led his Lobo squad to a 26-5 regular season record, winning the Mountain West Regular Season conference title.

March 30, 2013: Signed Contract to Become Head Coach of UCLA Bruins

On March 30, 2013, Steve Alford signed a seven-year, $18.2-million contract to become the head coach of the UCLA Bruins.

2013: MWC Coach of the Year Honor and NCAA Tournament Upset

In 2013, Alford won his third MWC coach of the year honor. However, Alford and his No. 3 seed Lobos were upset by a 14th-seeded Harvard team in the NCAA tournament.

2013: Hiring of Assistant Coaching Staff

Soon after his hiring in 2013, Alford filled his head assistant coaching staff position with Ed Schilling, David Grace and Duane Broussard.

2014: Bryce Alford Becomes Starting Point Guard

After Anderson and LaVine left UCLA for the NBA, Bryce Alford became the Bruins' starting point guard in 2014-15.

2014: Pac-12 Tournament Title and Sweet Sixteen Appearance

In 2014, Alford directed the Bruins to the title in the Pac-12 tournament. They advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2014 NCAA tournament.

2015: Sweet Sixteen Appearance

In 2015, The Bruins reached the Sweet 16, becoming the lowest-seeded UCLA team to ever reach the regional semifinals.

2015: Losing Record

In the 2015-16 season, UCLA finished with a 15-17 record, the fourth time the program finished with a losing record since 1948.

2016: Banner Urging UCLA to Fire Alford

In 2016, a plane flew over the UCLA campus on two occasions with a banner urging the school to fire Alford.

2017: Opening of the Mo Ostin Basketball Center

In 2017-18, UCLA opened its new practice facility, the Mo Ostin Basketball Center.

2018: Departure from UCLA Bruins

In 2018, Steve Alford was fired midseason after spending 5 1/2 seasons with the UCLA Bruins.

2018: Loss in First Four and Another Banner

In 2018, UCLA lost 65-58 to St. Bonaventure in the First Four, and another banner was flown over campus reading "Final Fours not First Fours #FireAlford."

December 31, 2018: Firing from UCLA

On December 31, 2018, UCLA announced that Alford had been fired, marking the first time the program had made a coaching change in the middle of the season.

April 11, 2019: Hired as Coach of Nevada Wolf Pack

On April 11, 2019, Steve Alford was hired as the coach of Nevada Wolf Pack.

2019: Contract Extension Through 2019-2020 Season

At the end of the season in 2019, Coach Alford received a ten-year contract extension through the 2019-2020 season, showcasing the university's confidence in his leadership.