Steve Alford, UCLA agree to extension through 2020-21

Despite spending just one season as head coach, UCLA is convinced they’ve found their man in Steve Alford. The Bruins are so convinced that they secured Alford up through the 2020-21 season, according to the LA Times.

"On Friday, Athletic Director Dan Guerrero announced that UCLA had extended Alford’s contract for another year, meaning the coach is now under contract until the 2020-21 season.Alford’s previous contract — worth $2.6 million a year for seven years — was based largely on incentives, and also had a whopping $10.4-million buyout clause. Why the extension came now, five seasons before Alford’s contract was set to expire, is unclear."

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As the Times said, the timing is a bit more than odd. While his first year was successful by most accounts, I’m not sure it was enough to warrant any sort of extension, even if it was just for one additional year. That also is called into question. Why just one year at the end of a seven-year deal already?

Nonetheless, Alford has a track record worthy of a big contract. His last losing season came way back in 1999-2000 in his first year with Iowa, and it’s also his only season below .500 in his 19 years as a head coach. Add in his top 10 recruiting class this year and you have the makings of another solid season.

Let us know if you think the extension was worthwhile in the comments down below!

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