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NCAA Basketball: Who are the best D-I coaches who have played professional basketball?

By Daniel Benjamin

Dec 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Charlotte Hornets associate head coach Patrick Ewing works with a player before their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Charlotte Hornets associate head coach Patrick Ewing works with a player before their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 23, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Steve Alford against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Wells-Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Steve Alford, UCLA Bruins

Steve Alford had a great collegiate playing career but was not much of a factor in the NBA. The 1987 first round draft selection appeared in 169 games over four NBA seasons. He averaged 4.4 points and 1.0 assists while playing for Dallas and Golden State.

Alford has been coaching at various levels since 1991, starting at NCAA D-III Manchester University. In four seasons at Manchester, Alford compiled a 78-23 record. He led the Spartans to two regular season conference championships and three conference tournament crowns. Manchester lost its only game during the 1994-1995 season in the D-III championship game.

Following his stint at Manchester, Alford moved onto Southwest Missouri State. Alford went 78-29 in four seasons with the Bears, taking them to the Sweet 16 in his final campaign in 1999.

Alford also has been at Iowa and New Mexico State before arriving at UCLA prior to 2013. He guided the Bruins to a 31-5 record and Sweet 16 appearance this past season. It marked his third 30-win campaign of his career. He is 96-45 in four seasons at UCLA, which includes three Sweet 16 appearances. Overall, Alford has a 559-260 career coaching record.

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