Steve Alford named new head coach of Nevada

Just four days after the departure of Eric Musselman, Nevada has officially named Steve Alford the new head coach of the Wolf Pack.

Alford, 54, has accumulated a 509-269 record over 24 years as a head coach. He’s made 11 career NCAA Tournament appearances, but has failed to reach the Elite Eight.

“To be able to continue my career in a tight-knit community that has demonstrated its support for the basketball program is exactly the opportunity that Tanya and I were looking for, and we are thrilled to be in Northern Nevada,” Alford said in a press release. “I can’t wait to get to work as we look to build off the established tradition and momentum of this great program. I want this to be the last stop of my coaching career.”

UCLA fired Alford on Dec. 31, 2018. which marked his last coaching appearance. The Bruins placed in the NCAA Tournament four times in six years in the Alford era.

Alford has experience in the Mountain West Conference. He posted a 155-52 record over six years with New Mexico. The Lobos won back-to-back regular conference titles in 2009-10 and 2012-13.

Along with New Mexico, Alford has brief stints with Missouri State of the Missouri Valley Conference and Iowa of the Big 10 Conference.

Alford and the University of Nevada, Reno have reportedly agreed to a 10-year deal.

After losing Musselman to Arkansas, the Alford signing gives Nevada another splash. Alford’s track record speaks for itself, but he’s never won the “big games” during his 24-year career. His coaching experience can pay dividends for a Nevada program that lost seven key seniors to graduation.

Alford has the keys to drive Nevada to another potential Mountain West regular season title, but they have plenty of obstacles this upcoming year. But, this is could turn out to be a big win for the Wolf Pack.

Nevada will hold an introductory press conference at Lawlor Events Center tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.