UCLA Basketball: Athletic Director Dan Guerrero Responds To Fan Petition

Bruin Report Online released an article about UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero responding via email to a fan petition asking for change within the UCLA Basketball program.

With the UCLA Basketball team having its worst season since 2003, fans of the most decorated basketball program in history have voiced their opinions regarding the state of the Bruins. The UCLA Basketball team finished 15-16, 6-12 in the regular season, which has led many to call for the removal of Head Coach Steve Alford.

Last week, a Bruin Basketball fan posted an open letter online directed at UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero in regards to the state of Bruin hoops.

In brief, the letter touched upon three points, specifically in regards to Alford’s handling of the team: (1) inconsistent play with the lack of effort, (2) the inability to teach “sound basketball” and (3) favoritism toward junior guard Bryce Alford.

Today, Bruin Report Online had released on their site, the email from Guerrero in response to the petition, which you can read HERE.

In short, Guerrero had generally agreed with the petition on the state of the UCLA Basketball program, though he did not refer to what action he would take with Alford, but hinted that the three-year coach would be back next year after reviewing the season with him.

Here is a small excerpt from the email UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero wrote in response to the petition:

"Like I do with all our coaches, after every season, win or lose, I’ll sit down with Coach Alford to review the year that was. Together, we’ll consider what we must do to improve. And make no mistake, we must improve. We must get better. We all know that we need to be moving forward as a program. And with an impressive recruiting class coming to Westwood next year, Coach Alford will have both talent and experience on the floor – we are moving forward."

Though it is not a definitive answer to the situation with Alford, it does give us a view into his thought process. Either way, whatever decision Guerrero makes in regards to this matter most likely will not happen until after the UCLA Basketball team participates in the Pac-12 Tournament.

Next: The UCLA Basketball All-Time Team

The Bruins start the tournament this Wednesday against the USC Trojans in the first round (the Trojans twice beat the Bruins this season). The UCLA Basketball team needs to win four games in a row to capture the Pac-12 Championship, which is the only way, at this point, the Bruins would make it to the NCAA Tournament.