DES MOINES, Iowa | Iowa coach Steve Alford told his players during a team meeting today that he's leaving to take over the New Mexico program.

"Things came up, and this is the decision he had to make," senior guard Mike Henderson said. "He's going to New Mexico."

Alford, a former star at Indiana, had a 152-106 record in eight seasons at Iowa. He led the Hawkeyes to three NCAA appearances and Big Ten Conference tournament crowns in 2001 and 2006.

This season the Hawkeyes finished 17-14.