UCLA has signed head men’s basketball coach Steve Alford to a one-year contract extension through the 2020-21 season, it was announced today by Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero.
In 2016-17, his fourth year as the Bruins’ head coach, Alford guided UCLA to a 31-5 record and the program’s third NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance in four seasons. The Bruins tied the program record for most regular-season wins (28), posted a 15-3 record in Pac-12 play and defeated every team on their schedule.
“Steve did an outstanding job, helping to produce one of the nation’s most exciting offensive teams in recent memory,” Guerrero said. “There was a significant buzz about UCLA basketball around town and among the sellout crowds in Pauley Pavilion. As such, he certainly earned back the one-year extension that he had voluntarily returned prior to the season. We are looking forward to seeing what 2017-18 brings.”
UCLA’s 2016-17 squad finished second in the nation in points per game (89.8) and led all Division I teams in assists per game (21.4), field goal percentage (52.2%) and assist-turnover ratio (1.91). The Bruins set Pac-12 single-season team records for total assists (771) and made three-pointers (354).
Through four seasons in Westwood, Alford has compiled a 96-45 overall record. His teams have produced nine NBA Draft selections, including six first-round picks. Last year’s team featured three players selected in the 2017 NBA Draft, including first-round selections Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf. In all, Alford has helped to send 11 UCLA players to the NBA in four years.
In addition to Alford’s one-year contract extension, assistant coach Duane Broussard has been elevated to the role of associate head coach. Broussard, who has more than 20 years of experience working on college basketball staffs, arrived in Westwood in March 2013 after having served on Alford’s coaching staff at the University of New Mexico.
Broussard has spent the past nine seasons working alongside Alford, helping those teams advance to the NCAA Tournament six times and secure three consecutive conference tournament crowns (2012-14). Additionally, he has played a role in helping UCLA secure two recruiting classes ranked in the top five, nationally, over the past four years.
The men’s basketball team will return to Pauley Pavilion against Cal State Los Angeles for an exhibition game on Wednesday, Nov. 1, three days before the Bruins will depart for Shanghai, China, for their season opener against Georgia Tech (Nov. 10).
