Nevada coach Steve Alford wasn’t even safe from his own former players.
Neither was his hair.
Alford’s No. 10-seeded Wolf Pack were cruising and appeared set to upset No. 7 Dayton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, but then delivered one of March Madness’ worst-ever collapses before losing 63-60.
Alford, who coached UCLA before taking over at Nevada after he was fired, was ripped by former Bruins player Tony Parker (not the Spurs legend), who played under Alford for three of his four seasons with the team.
Steve Alford reacts during Nevada’s loss to Dayton on March 21, 2024. Getty Images
“Steve Alford been one of the worst coaches in college basketball history he sucks and he lame same haircut for 40 years hairspray gotta be cookin his brain [sic],” Parker posted on X.
Nevada was leading by 17 points, but Dayton then stormed back with a 24-4 run over the last 7:14 to cap the largest NCAA Tournament comeback since 2018.
“Really, really poor offense the last seven minutes,” Alford, who won a national championship with Indiana as a player, said after the game. “Very poor defense. When you do that on this stage, you’re probably not going to win very many games. That’s really what happened tonight.”
Steve Alford been one of the worst coaches in college basketball history he sucks and he lame same haircut for 40 years hairspray gotta be cookin his brain— tony parker (@tonyparker32) March 21, 2024
Parker subsequently got into it with Dan Dakich, who previously coached Bowling Green and Indiana and now works for OutKick.
“A fat ass underachieving f–k critical of a National Champion.. amazing world we live in,” Dakich posted in response to Parker.
Parker then shot back.
Tony Parker was coached by Steve Alford for three of his four seasons at UCLA. AP
“Lil bro bring yo homie too”??Geezus.. how fing stupid are you fat man?Seriously.. illiterate fat ex players are the best https://t.co/aF6yvjIWj0— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) March 23, 2024
“I hurt your feelings lil man We can link up and talk about it lil bro bring yo homie too [sic],” Parker posted.
Dakich fired right back.
“‘Lil bro bring yo homie too’?? Geezus.. how fing stupid are you fat man? Seriously.. illiterate fat ex players are the best,” Dakich posted.
Parker went undrafted and had a brief stint in the G League before playing professionally in Mexico.