UCLA men’s basketball head coach Steve Alford has received a one-year contract extension. The previous contract was only good though the 2019-20 season so now Alford will manage the sideline until 2021. The decision was announced Friday by athletic director Dan Guerrero.
In just his first year at the helm, Alford led the Bruins to 28-9 record to go along with the team’s first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 2008. The Pac-12 tournament champions showed great development throughout the season and Alford tied the school record for wins in a season during a coach’s first year.
Further solidifying the decision, Alford brought in a top ten recruiting class which should supplement an already talent-laden roster. The young squad lost three first round picks – Kyle Anderson, Jordan Adams and Zach LaVine, but still features three McDonald’s All-Americans including Isaac Hamilton, Kevon Looney and Thomas Welch.
The Bruins, who haven’t won an NCAA title since 1998, believe Alford is the man to take them to the promise land and he will pick back up where he left off on November 14 when the team opens the season against Montana State. UCLA’s out of conference schedule features several difficult tests including a trip to the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament as well as a neutral court game against Kentucky.
Entering the 2014-15 season, Alford’s team, which has a preseason ranking of no. 15, should contend for not only the conference championship, but for a spot in Indianapolis come April.
*Section Photo credit to Ethan Miller, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Telezkope
