As a typical journalist, Seth only gives half-truths to support his jock sniffing of Alford.
First, let's look at the facts:
1. In the 13 years prior to Alford's arrival, Iowa won 13 NCAA tournament games, went to 3 Sweet 16's and an Elite Eight. Under 8 years of Alford, we won 1 NCAA tournament game.
2. In the 13 years prior to Alford's arrival, our Big Ten finishes were 1 2nd, 4 3rds, 2 4ths, and 3 5ths....in other words, we finished in the upper division of the conference 10 out of 13 years. Under 8 years of Alford, our Big Ten finishes were 1 2nd, 2 4ths, 1 6th, 2 7ths and 2 8ths. In other words, we finished in the upper division of the conference only 3 out of 8 years. And the 13 years prior to Alford's arrival were easily the toughest the conference has ever been and during Alford's tenure, it was one of the easiest the conference has ever been.
3. In the 13 years prior to Alford's arrival, we posted a conference record of .543. Under 8 years of Alford, we posted a conference record of .477. In addition, we only had 2 seasons were we finished below .500 in the conference in the 13 years prior to Alford's arrival. Under 8 years of Alford, we finished below .500 in the conference 5 times.
4. In the 13 years before Alford arrived, our overall winning % was .658. In the 8 years under Alford, our overall winning % was .589.
This is just Ws and Ls. This doesn't even address the dwindling attendance, the awfulness of his coaching staff, or the PP scandal.
I will grant him that the previous AD did next to nothing to support the program under his watch and instead directed virtually all resources, marketing efforts, and facilities to the football program. I understand that football pays the bills, but apparently Bowlsbey forgot that the basketball program has been better and for longer periods of time than the football program. In a successful athletic department, both sports should be successful and fully supported.
But for Steve to claim he was successful is absolute spin and is NOT supported by the facts.
