Nevada men’s basketball head coach Steve Alford announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2026-27 season, bringing a 36-year head coaching career spanning six different NCAA programs to a close. Alford, who turns 62 years old in November and enters his eighth season leading the Wolf Pack, carries a career head coaching record of 724-386.
Alford’s Historic Career Milestones
Alford’s 724 career wins rank 10th among all active Division I coaches. He also ranks third all-time and second among active coaches in career Mountain West victories with 143. He stands as one of only two coaches in NCAA history—alongside Rick Pitino—to lead six different programs to the NCAA Tournament. Across his career, Alford has made 16 combined NCAA Tournament appearances, consisting of 13 at the Division I level and three at the Division III level, which includes three Sweet 16 appearances during his five full seasons at UCLA.
“After 36 years, I feel like this is the right time to step away from the bench,” Alford said in a statement. “Tanya and I have loved our time in Reno, and have embraced this amazing community and built lifelong friendships. I want to thank the University of Nevada for the opportunity to lead this program, and I am looking forward to finishing this season the right way, with a team I believe in.”
Tenure at Nevada and Previous Stops
Hired in April 2019 following a 10-year, $12.6 million deal, Alford has compiled a 137-88 overall record and a 71-56 mark in league play through seven full seasons with the Wolf Pack. His tenure in Reno features five postseason invitations, including NCAA Tournament berths in 2023 and 2024 and an NIT Quarterfinal berth in the 2025-26 season. Under his leadership, the 2023-24 squad returned Nevada to the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2019.
Before taking over the Wolf Pack, Alford spent six seasons at UCLA from 2013 to 2018, posting a 124-63 record with four NCAA Tournament appearances and 11 NBA Draft picks. He also logged six seasons at New Mexico, capturing four Mountain West regular-season titles, and held head coaching positions at Iowa, Southwest Missouri State, and Division III Manchester College, where he reached the 1995 NCAA Division III championship game.
University Leadership Response
“Steve Alford has been an important part of Nevada Athletics and Wolf Pack Basketball for nearly a decade, leading the program with consistency, integrity, and a deep commitment to developing outstanding young men,” Director of Athletics Stephanie Rempe said. University of Nevada President Brian Sandoval added that Alford’s time in Reno “has represented an era of achievement, growth and success that our University will always fondly remember.”
Alford has two years remaining on his contract carrying a combined $2.95 million in guaranteed money. He enters his final campaign backed by a roster preparing for tipoff as the Wolf Pack look to celebrate his career throughout the upcoming season.