Steve Alford did his best to squelch the Indiana coaching rumors. (Getty)
UCLA head coach Steve Alford did not sound like a man with one foot out the door after UCLA’s loss to Kentucky in the Sweet 16. Alford continued to downplay rumors about taking the open Indiana coaching position. He spoke about his desire to stay at UCLA in his post-game press conference.
I love Los Angeles. It’s a beautiful place. Our family has fallen in love with it…I’m very happy. I’m at UCLA. You don’t have a lot of people wanting to leave UCLA. This is a pretty special place…We have the number two recruiting class coming in next year. We’re opening a brand new practice facility. I want to see that through. We have some special kids that are coming to join us. I’m very, very happy where I’m at and hopefully that will continue.
CBS Sports analyst Doug Gottlieb had noted on the Dan Patrick Show that Alford to Indiana was a done deal.
If Alford does return to Westwood, he will be without star point guard Lonzo Ball. As expected, Ball announced he had played his final game at UCLA and was headed to the NBA Draft.
Lonzo Ball post game talking with the media
One of Ball’s brothers, LiAngelo Ball, will play at UCLA in the fall as part of the touted class Alford spoke of after the game.
Alford has been the head coach at UCLA for four seasons. The Bruins have made the Sweet 16 in three of those four seasons.
Alford graduated from Indiana as the school’s all-time leading scorer. He helped lead the Hoosiers to a national title in 1987.
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Steve Alford Downplays Indiana Rumors & Talks About UCLA Return