Albuquerque Journal

Only Times Will Tell
By Mark Smith Of the Journal

I'd like to take this opportunity to make an announcement. "This reporter ain't going to the New York Times."
   
If I had access to a public address system, I'd repeat that to all my loyal fans. Maybe I'll just mention it on the Eric Gee Show today. Both should be thrilled. Fans, that is.
   
Not sure about Eric.
   
"So how about Los Angeles Times," you ask?
   
I don't know how many times I have to say it!
   
"I'm wearing Journal red!"
   
Or blue.
   
Not really sure our team colors, tell you the truth.
   
Forget the fact that neither of those so-called BCS papers has offered me a job, I just wanted to go with the flow.
  
  For any Lobo zealots who may be annoyed by my proclamation, to quote Simon Cowell, "sorry."
   
Nestor J. Romero will just have to keep firing more of those insightful Sports Speak Ups to us.
   
Maybe he can figure out another title to add to his name while he's at it.
   
Ain't going anywhere
   
After last week's announcement that University of New Mexico men's basketball coach Steve Alford agreed to a three-year extension, taking him through the 2015-16 season, Alford is no longer answering a deluge of inquiries about Indiana.
   
The fact that the Hoosiers hired Tom Crean might have something to do with that, too.
   
Will Alford's name be bantered about for other jobs?
   
Maybe not this year, but probably if the Lobos keep winning. It might even pop up again at Indiana.
   
Just not as a serious candidate while Rick Greenspan is AD.
   
Greenspan apparently wants Alford to re-record the 1970's R. Dean Taylor hit, "Indiana Wants Me (Lord I can't go back there)."
   
Wonder how Simon would rate that performance? Alford does seem comfortable with a microphone, you know.
   
Anyway, word is that a smattering of IU boosters were interested in Alford, but that Greenspan wasn't. I've heard a number of variations on the story, but all are about a rift between the two when Alford was coach at Southwest Missouri State and Greenspan the AD at Illinois State.
   
A number of sources said Alford tried to get Greenspan booted from the vicinity while his team was practicing, and heated words followed.
   
"I've never worked for him," Alford said last week. "... So I don't have any comment in regards to Rick, or how he runs a program or what he does."
   
What Alford will comment on, is that he's glad to snatch that long-term deal at New Mexico. Thus, as he told 18,000-plus over the PA system after the Lobos' final home game, "This staff ain't going anywhere."
   
Liberal times
   
Associate head coach Craig Neal said the same thing about the staff "not going anywhere" during the Lobo Coaches' radio show on Feb. 28. And when all is said and done, those words are likely to ring true.
   
But not from a lack of trying.
   
Neal has been listed by both Missouri State and Toledo as a candidate for their head jobs.
   
Missouri State, however, hired Purdue assistant Cuonzo Martin and Toledo is reportedly leading toward a group that includes former college head coach Buzz Peterson, Notre Dame assistant Gene Cross and Wisconsin assistant Greg Gard.
   
On Monday, Toledo media relations director Paul Helgren, speaking on behalf of athletics director Mike O'Brien, told the Journal that "the search is ongoing, and the job hasn't been offered yet."
   
When asked if Neal would be interviewed, Helgren said, "We won't confirm anyone who is being interviewed. All we can confirm is that coach Neal has formally applied for the job."
   
And who could blame him? After all, an assistant coach should be pursuing a head spot— even if he already has a $250,000 four-year deal.
   
Very few coaches have Doug Ash Syndrome. Ash was former Lobo coach Dave Bliss' partner in crime, err, assistant coach, for 28 years through four schools and one major scandal.
   
I would be surprised if UNM assistants Chris Walker and Ryan Miller— or even operations director Silvey Dominguez, video coordinator Trey Trotter or team manager Gabe Gabaldon, for that matter— aren't sniffing around as well for opportunities that could help them further their careers.
   
Why wouldn't they be? They were all part of a staff that turned a team from 4-12 to 11-5 in league play in one season.
   
That sure looks great on a résumé— with our without an application.
   
So who knows, maybe one or more will be gone next year? Maybe not. I just know that whoever stays, I'll probably see them around again next season on the beat.
   
After all, I'm not going anywhere. At least, not to the New York Times.
   
It's too liberal for me.