Ayrton Oneill
Steve Alford was born in Franklin, Indiana, in 1964 and grew up in New Castle, Indiana. He started playing basketball at a young age, attending a basketball camp put on by Coach Bob Knight when he was nine years old. Alford played basketball at New Castle Chrysler High School, where his father, Sam Alford, was the coach. He then went on to play college basketball at Indiana University Bloomington, where he became the university's all-time leading scorer with 2,438 points. After college, Alford played in the NBA for four seasons, mostly with the Dallas Mavericks, and then became a college basketball coach.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 November 1964 |
| Birthplace | Franklin, Indiana |
| High School | New Castle Chrysler High School |
| Indiana University Bloomington | 1984-1987 |
| NBA Draft | 1987 |
| NBA Teams | Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors |
| NBA Career | 1987-1991 |
| Career Points | 744 |
| Career Assists | 176 |
| Career Free Throw Accuracy | 87% |
| Career Earnings | $500,000+ |
| Height | 6'2" (188 cm) |
| Weight | 183 lbs (83 kg) |
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What You'll Learn
Steve Alford's early life and career beginnings
Steve Alford was born in Franklin, Indiana, on November 23, 1964, and grew up in New Castle. His father, Sam Alford, was a coach at the high school in Monroe City, and young Steve would often attend his father's games, missing only two: once when he had chickenpox, and once when he was competing in the regionals of the Elks Club free-throw shooting contest.
Alford's first experience of basketball came at a camp when he was nine years old, put on by Coach Bob Knight. The Alfords eventually settled in New Castle, where Steve played on the New Castle Chrysler High School basketball team, which his father coached. Alford practised shooting so much that he wore out several basketball nets each summer and often chose basketball over socialising. As a freshman, he averaged barely a point per game, but by his senior year in 1983, he was averaging 37.2 points per game and earned the Indiana "Mr. Basketball" award.
After high school, Alford decided to play basketball for Bob Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers at Indiana University Bloomington. Here, he became the university's all-time leading scorer with 2,438 points. During his final three seasons, he earned first-team all-Big Ten honours, and in his senior year (1987), he was the Big Ten Conference's MVP and a consensus first-team All-America selection.
Alford was selected 26th overall in the 1987 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, where he played from 1987 to 1991, with a short stint at the Golden State Warriors. Over his four-year NBA career, he started three games, scored 744 points, had 176 assists, and shot free throws with an accuracy of 87%.
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Steve Alford's NBA career
Steve Alford was born in Franklin, Indiana, in 1964 and grew up in New Castle, where he played on the New Castle Chrysler High School basketball team. He is known for his dedication to the sport, practising shooting so much that he would wear out several basketball nets each summer.
During his senior year in 1983, Alford averaged 37.2 points per game and earned the Indiana "Mr. Basketball" award. He then went on to play for Indiana University Bloomington, where he became the university's all-time leading scorer with 2,438 points. In 1987, he was selected by the Dallas Mavericks as the 26th overall pick in the NBA Draft.
Over his four-year NBA career, Alford played mostly with the Mavericks, although he also spent part of a season with the Golden State Warriors. In total, he started three games, scored 744 points, had 176 assists, and shot free throws with an impressive 87% accuracy. He played from 1987 to 1991, and his annual salary was at least $250,000.
After his playing career, Alford embarked on a career as a collegiate head coach. He has coached at Manchester College, Southwest Missouri State, the University of Iowa, New Mexico, and UCLA. He has led his teams to numerous NCAA Tournament appearances and Sweet 16 berths, showcasing his successful transition from player to coach.
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Steve Alford's career as a collegiate head coach
Steve Alford began his career as a collegiate head coach in 1991 at Division III Manchester University in North Manchester, Indiana. During his four seasons with the team, Alford turned the team's fortunes around, achieving a record of 78–29. In his first full season as coach, the team posted a record of 20–8. In the following season, Manchester posted a record of 23–4, and in his fourth and final season, his team finished 31–1. In 1994 and 1995, Manchester won conference titles, and in Alford's final three seasons, the team competed in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
After his successful stint at Manchester University, Alford went on to coach at other collegiate institutions. He spent time at Southwest Missouri State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of New Mexico. At Iowa, he compiled a record of 152-106, and at New Mexico, he went 155-52.
In 2015, Alford became the head coach of the UCLA Bruins, a prestigious college basketball program. In his first season, UCLA qualified for the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Sweet 16. However, in the 2018 NCAA Tournament, UCLA lost in the First Four, marking the first time in Alford's tenure that they failed to advance past the first round. Despite this setback, Alford brought in a top-10 recruiting class for the 2018–19 season and added assistant coach Murry Bartow to improve the team's defence.
Alford was fired mid-season in 2018–19, and he subsequently became the head coach at the University of Nevada. In 2023, he led Nevada to the NCAA Tournament, becoming only the fourth head coach to lead five different teams to the NCAA Division I Tournament.
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Steve Alford's coaching strategy and impact
Stephen Todd Alford, born on November 23, 1964, in Franklin, Indiana, started playing basketball at a young age. He played on the New Castle Chrysler High School basketball team, which his father, Sam Alford, coached. After playing basketball in high school and college, Alford went on to have a four-year career in the NBA, mostly with the Dallas Mavericks, and briefly with the Golden State Warriors.
Following his playing career, Alford transitioned into coaching and has been a college head coach for over 30 years. His coaching career includes stints at Missouri State, Iowa, New Mexico, UCLA, and Nevada. At UCLA, Alford faced criticism for the team's defensive struggles and a disappointing performance in the 2018 NCAA tournament. However, in his sixth year at UCLA, he brought in a top-10 recruiting class and added assistant coach Murry Bartow to enhance the team's defensive capabilities.
Alford's coaching strategy emphasizes the importance of player development and a strong work ethic. He is known for his ability to identify and cultivate talented players, as evidenced by his success in recruiting top-tier prospects. Alford's coaching style also involves pushing his players to reach their full potential, as seen in his own dedication to practice and improvement during his playing career.
Alford's impact as a coach is reflected in the success of the teams he has led. Across his coaching career at various colleges, he has achieved impressive records, including 78-48 at Missouri State, 152-106 at Iowa, 155-52 at New Mexico, 124-63 at UCLA, and 113-75 at Nevada. Alford's teams have won conference championships multiple times, and he has been recognized as the Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year on three occasions.
Alford's coaching has left a lasting impact on the college basketball landscape, with his teams consistently performing well and contending for championships. His ability to recruit top talent and develop players has contributed to his success as a coach, solidifying his place in the college basketball coaching fraternity.
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Steve Alford's awards and recognition
Steve Alford, born in 1964 in Franklin, Indiana, started playing basketball at a young age. By his senior year in high school in 1983, Alford averaged 37.2 points per game and earned the Indiana "Mr. Basketball" award. He went on to play for Indiana University Bloomington, becoming the university's all-time leading scorer with 2,438 points.
During his college basketball career, Alford earned numerous accolades. He was a two-time consensus first-team All-American and helped lead Indiana to an upset victory over the Michael Jordan-led North Carolina Tar Heels in the 1984 NCAA tournament. In 1984, he was selected to play on the US Olympic basketball team, coached by Bob Knight. Alford and his teammates won the gold medal, which he later gave to his father in a tearful ceremony.
After his successful college career, Alford was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1987 NBA Draft. He played four seasons in the NBA, mostly with the Mavericks but also briefly with the Golden State Warriors. Over his career, he scored 744 points, had 176 assists, and shot free throws with an impressive 87% accuracy.
As a college basketball coach, Alford has found even more success and recognition. He has been a head coach for over 30 years at various schools, including Missouri State, Iowa, New Mexico, UCLA, and Nevada. During his time at New Mexico, he earned the MWC Coach of the Year Award three times and led the Lobos to multiple conference championships. In 2013, he signed a lucrative contract to become the head coach of the UCLA Bruins, a program with a rich history of success.
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Frequently asked questions
Steve Alford started playing basketball in high school at New Castle Chrysler High School in New Castle, Indiana. He played on the school team, which his father, Sam Alford, coached.
Yes, Steve Alford played basketball at Indiana University Bloomington from 1984-1987.
Yes, Steve Alford played in the NBA for four seasons, from 1987-1991. He was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 1987 and also played for the Golden State Warriors.
Steve Alford began his coaching career in 1995 at Southwest Missouri State, where he coached the SMS Bears for four years.
