Jeff Goodman and FoxSports.com are reporting that Creighton’s Dana Altman and Oregon are close to a deal that would make Altman the Ducks’ new head men’s basketball coach. Las Vegas has set the over/under on how long he remains at Oregon at 1.5 days. Call your bookie!
Creighton will need to act quickly to find a replacement. Kevin McKenna? Greg Grensing? A current assistant? Rick Majerus? Bobby Knight? Herman Boone? Let your unfounded speculation begin!
Updates:
- A Web site called DuckTerritory.com says the following on Twitter: “DuckTerritory.com has confirmed w/Altman family that Oregon has hired Dana Altman to be next basketball coach at Oregon.” (3:20 p.m.)
- WOWT is reporting that a Creighton source has confirmed the move and that Altman’s deal could be for seven years, and also that the deal will be announced on Sunday. (4:30 p.m.)
- Gary Parish at CBSSports.com is now reporting it’s a done deal “barring a snag in negotiations”; John Hunt at the Oregonian provides quotes from Oregon officials; The Des Moines Register‘s Sean Keeler suggests current Iowa State coach Greg McDermott as a possible replacement candidate; the Omaha World-Herald talked to sophomore point guard Antoine Young. (5:01 p.m.)
- The Omaha World-Herald is now reporting he’s been offered the job, but has asked for 24 hours to think it over. (5:58 p.m.)
- Jeff Goodman reports via Twitter that “Sources told FOXSports.com deal with Dana Altman to Oregon is done. 7 years, less than $2 million per season. News conf. likely Mon. And no, don’t expect Dana Altman to do what he did to Arkansas. Remember, this involves Nike czar Phil Knight. Altman to Oregon is done deal.” (6:28 p.m.)
- OregonLive reports the deal is finalized, saying “Creighton coach Dana Altman, after meeting this week with former Oregon athletic director Pat Kilkenny in Indianapolis, has agreed to be the Ducks’ next coach, according to sources close to both schools. Altman will be in Eugene on Sunday evening to meet his new team, and an announcement is expected Monday after final contract details are worked out.” (8:48 p.m.)
- The Omaha World-Herald independently confirms what has been rumored all day: Dana Altman is the next coach of the Oregon Ducks. (10:08 p.m.)