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UCLA Basketball: 5 coaches that could replace Steve Alford

By Brian Rauf

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins reacts in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the CBS Sports Classic at the United Center on December 22, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Steve Alford of the UCLA Bruins reacts in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the CBS Sports Classic at the United Center on December 22, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 20: Head coach Earl Watson of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 20, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 132-130. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 20: Head coach Earl Watson of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 20, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lakers defeated the Suns 132-130. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

UCLA basketball fired head coach Steve Alford following a four-game losing streak. Here’s who the Bruins could turn to for his future replacement.

The UCLA Bruins made the rare decision to fire a coach in the middle of the season, choosing to part with Steve Alford late Sunday night (or early Monday morning, depending on your time zone).

Alford was certainly on his way out but, according to Bruin Report Online, the school was planning to have him coach for the rest of the season. The loss to Liberty on Saturday changed that, and the two sides spent Sunday negotiating a buyout.

UCLA is just 7-6 this year and is in the middle of a four-game losing streak that includes losses to Belmont, Liberty, and a 29-point drubbing at the hands of Cincinnati. All reports out of Westwood say that Alford has lost the team, which was clear from their largely unmotivated play this year.

Alford was no stranger to the hot seat – he was nearly fired after going 15-17 in his third season and knew his job was in jeopardy coming into the year after losing in the First Four to St. Bonaventure.

While it is not yet clear who will be the interim coach for the remainder of the season, it’s almost certain they will not keep the job on a permanent basis.

So, who will the Bruins turn to for their next head coach? Here are the five most likely candidates:

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