Steve Alford to Retire as Nevada Men's Basketball Coach After 2026-27 Season

Steve Alford will conclude his 36th season as a head coach at the end of the 2026-27 season, marking his final year leading the University of Nevada men's basketball team. At 62, Alford, who has spent eight seasons with the Wolf Pack and a total of 32 years at the Division I level, announced his retirement plans on [date] through a news release. He began his coaching career at Division III Manchester University in 1991-92 and has held positions at notable programs including UCLA, New Mexico, and Iowa.

Alford expressed gratitude for his time in Reno, stating, "Tanya and I have loved our time in Reno, and have embraced this amazing community and built lifelong friendships. I want to thank the University of Nevada for the opportunity to lead this program." He emphasized the importance of finishing the season strong with a team he believes in.

A celebrated player, Alford starred at New Castle Chrysler High School in Indiana, coached by his father. He later played under Bobby Knight at Indiana University, winning a national championship in 1987. As a two-time All-American, he also captured an Olympic gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

After being selected in the 1987 NBA draft, Alford played four seasons in the league before transitioning into coaching at the age of 26. His success at Manchester included an NCAA Division III championship appearance in 1995. He later coached Missouri State, reaching the Sweet 16 in 1999, before moving on to Iowa, where he won two Big Ten Tournament titles.

Alford's tenure with New Mexico was particularly fruitful, achieving 155 wins and multiple championship titles in the Mountain West Conference. He assumed the role at UCLA in 2013 but was dismissed during a challenging period in the 2018-19 season.

Following Eric Musselman’s departure for Arkansas, Alford was hired in April 2019 on a ten-year contract worth $12.6 million. Over seven seasons at Nevada, he recorded a 137-88 overall record, leading the team to the NCAA Tournament in both 2023 and 2024, despite early exits.

University officials praised Alford's impact on the program and his commitment to athlete development. Wolf Pack athletic director Stephanie Rempe acknowledged his role in maintaining competitiveness during significant changes in college athletics. University president Brian Sandoval highlighted Alford's leadership, ensuring a lasting legacy at Nevada.

As Alford prepares for his final season, he will guide a promising team that includes returning starters and new talent. Nevada is poised to be a contender for the Mountain West title after recent changes in the conference landscape.

Upon Alford's retirement, Nevada will seek a new head coach to continue the program's tradition of success, which has included multiple conference titles and NCAA appearances since 2000.