Steve Alford is a former basketball shooting/point guard who played professionally for the Dallas Cowboys from 1987 to 1991. He currently serves as a head coach to the University of California’s basketball team. Prior to his career with UCLA, Steve has previously worked with the University of Iowa’s basketball team as well as New Mexico University and Machester University basketball teams. Steve began his coaching career in 1991 and has been active for over two decades. Learn more about him below.
Steve Alford Bio
The talented coach was born as Stephen Todd Alford on the 23rd of November 1964 in Franklin, Indiana. He grew up in New Castle, Indiana with his parents Sam Alford and Shana Alford. He got inspired to play basketball from the age of three while watching his father who was a high school coach at the time. Steve started his basketball career while attending New Castle Chrysler High School.
During his high school career, Steve Alford was honored with the Indiana Mr. Basketball Award while leading his team to the state championship in 1983. Although the team played well, they lost to Connersville in the quarterfinals. Steve was also part of the US Olympic Team that won the Olympic gold medal during the Olympics.
After his high school career, Steve also attended Indiana University where he played for the basketball team. At Indiana, Steve became their all-time leading scorer with a record of 2,438 points. Finishing his college career, Steve was named the Big Ten MVP in 1987 while leading the team to win the NCAA Tournament. he was also selected to the First Team All-Big Ten and All-American.
He joined the NBA draft of 1987 and was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the draft. He played four seasons with the Mavericks as well as Golden State Warriors. he had a record of 176 assists and 744 points throughout his professional career.
Coaching Career
Finishing his four-year pro career with the Dallas Mavericks, Steve began his coaching career in 1991. He was hired as Manchester University basketball coach in 1991 mid-way into the season and he spent three full seasons with the team. During his career at Manchester, he had a record of 20 – 8 in his first season as well as 23 – 4 in his second season and 31 – 1 record in his last season with the team. He was awarded Indiana Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year three times and in 1999; he was inducted into Manchester’s Hall of Fame.
After he left Manchester, he was recruited by the Southwest Missouri State University where he coached their basketball team from 2005 to 2009. While he was there, Steve maintained a record of 78 – 48 and also led the team to the Sweet 16 tournament in 1999. Steve left the team after the 1998/99 season.
In March 1999, Steve was named the head coach of the University of Iowa basketball team. While his time with the team ran from 1999 to 2007, the coach led his team to win the Big Ten Tournament in 2006 and he resigned from his position the following year so he could accept offers from New Mexico University. He joined the New Mexico University in 2007 and his career lasted until 2013.
Prior to the inception of the 2013/14 regular season, Steve was signed to a seven-year contract worth $18.2 million with the University of California’s basketball team and there his career has been blossoming to date. He led the Bruins to win the 2014 Pac 12 Tournament and the sweet 16 tournaments three times.
Salary: How Much Does Steve Alford Earn?
Undoubtedly, Steve Alford is one of the most successful college basketball coaches and his outstanding records do speak for themselves. The college basketball coach has worked with so many college basketball teams; thus becoming one of the highest-paid coaches in college basketball. He penned down a seven-year deal worth $18.2 million with UCLA in 2013 and he receives an annual salary of $2.6 million. Amazingly, Steve is the fourth highest-paid PAC 12 Coach as well as the 23rd highest-paid college basketball coach in America.
Family: Wife and Son
Steve Alford was born to American parents Sam and Sharan Alford. His family is well-grounded in sports; Steve’s father is a talented high school basketball coach and he taught him everything he knew about the game. Steve completed his high school career under the guidance of his father and he has continued to trail the same path as his father. Today, he has become a successful head coach and is doing well for himself. There is no much information with regards to his mother and we can’t ascertain if he was their only child.
Asides from his coaching career, Steve is also a family guy and a father of three. He got hitched to his longtime sweetheart named Tanya Alford. The amazing lady grew up in New Castle, Indiana and she met Steve in her 5th grade. The duo started their relationship during their junior year in high school. After five years of a successful relationship, the couple tied the knot in a lavish wedding held in 1987. They were blessed with three sons named Kayla, Kory, and Bryce.
Just like their father, Steve’s kids are also rooted in the game. They played in their father’s team when he was at New Mexico and when he joined the UCLA Bruins in 2013, they also went with him. His son, Bryce Alford is currently playing professionally for the Oklahoma City Thunders of the NBA. The shooting guard joined the Thunder in 2017 after he went undrafted in the NBA draft.
