The Final Play
Real talk: one of the legends of the game is stepping away. Nevada head coach Steve Alford just announced that the 2026-27 season will be his last on the bench. After 36 years of leading teams, the veteran is ready to close this chapter. Alford has been holding it down at Nevada since 2019, and he’s leaving the program in a solid spot—he just led them to a 24-win campaign this past year, which was the second-best showing of his entire tenure there.
A Legacy of Winning
Alford isn’t just some coach; the man has been a main character in college hoops for decades. We’re talking 724 career wins. He currently sits at No. 10 among all active Division I coaches. The flex? He is one of only two coaches in NCAA history—alongside Rick Pitino—to take six different programs to the NCAA Tournament.
Before the clipboard, Alford was absolutely him as a player at Indiana University. We’re talking two-time consensus All-American, 1987 Big Ten MVP, and he led the Hoosiers to the 1987 NCAA Championship. He even snagged an Olympic gold medal in 1984 as part of the last U.S. squad to win as amateurs.
What’s Next?
Alford is focused on finishing his final year strong with a team he says he truly believes in. "After 36 years, I feel like this is the right time to step away from the bench," Alford said. Nevada athletic director Stephanie Rempe shouted out his consistency and integrity over his nearly decade-long run in Reno. Say less—it’s the end of an era for the Wolf Pack.
Why it matters
Steve Alford’s retirement marks the departure of one of the most experienced coaches in the game today. His ability to guide six different schools to the Big Dance is a wild stat that few will ever touch, and his exit signals a massive shift for Nevada basketball as they prep for their next chapter.
