Alford to New Mexico, Hawkeyes hire Todd Lickliter

Well, it happened, and none too soon it seems, for most Hawk fans' tastes. Steve Alford saw the writing on the wall, and exited Iowa City a little over a week ago, after his team's dismal performance in Chicago at the BTT. After Iowa AD Gary Barta essentially gave him a vote of no-confidence ("we expect better"), Alford escaped post-haste to the desert, leaving for New Mexico and the Pit in Albuquerque.

After 10 days of speculation and rumor-mongering, no, we didn't hire Bruce Pearl, Rick Majerus, Dana Altman, Billy Gillespie, Lon Krueger, Reggie Theus, Tom Crean, or any other "BIG NAME" coach.

We hired what appears to be an extremely competent, defensive-minded, results oriented Coach who was just name NABC Coach of the Year over all of the above named individuals. With a 29-7 year at Butler and pushing national champion Florida to the limit (9 point lead with less then 10 minutes to go), we now have a coach that can wash away the mediocrity of the Alford years with some stingy "D" and a hustling team that will give 100 percent. I am excited. Iowa basketball is back!

http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070402/SPORTS/70402036/1008/sports