Dana Altman
Encyclopedia
Dana Altman is an American
college basketball
coach. He became the head coach of the Oregon
Ducks men's basketball
team in April, 2010. Before then, he was head coach at Creighton University
for 16 years. His total record in 22 seasons as a Division I head coach is 431-261.
at Southeast Community College
in Fairbury
, Nebraska
. He earned an associate degree in business administration there in 1978. He then received his undergraduate degree in the same field at Eastern New Mexico University
in 1980.
’s head coach produced one NCAA Tournament
appearance, Dana Altman will be remembered most for his ability to win close ball games, and for pulling off some of the biggest upsets in school history.
Altman’s teams were 28-13 in games decided by six points or less, which included a 6-1 mark in one-point games. His 1992-93 club perpetuated a Kansas State tradition. Picked to finish last in the Big Eight, Altman’s Wildcats won 11 games in the final minute, earned the school’s first Top 25 ranking in five seasons, finished 19-11, reached the championship game of the Big Eight Tournament and returned Kansas State to the NCAA Tournament for the 21st time.
Altman’s peers named him Big Eight Coach-of-the-Year in 1993 and he capped the season by upsetting No. 6 Kansas 74-67 in the semifinals of the conference tournament.
The following season, he made it two in a row over Kansas
when he upset the No. 1 ranked Jayhawks
68-64 on ESPN in Lawrence
. His 1993-94 squad finished the season with a 20-14 record and advanced to the NIT Final Four in New York City. Following the season, he accepted the head coaching position at Creighton University
in his home state of Nebraska
.
, his athletes had earned three All-American honors on the court and three other Academic All-America laurels in the classroom. Three players he coached at Creighton, Kyle Korver
, Rodney Buford
, and Anthony Tolliver
, have played in the NBA.
Altman was named Valley Coach of the Year twice; 2001 and 2002. Altman was a finalist for the Naismith College Coach of the Year
and named the NABC District 12 and USBWA District VI Coach of the Year in 2002-03.
Altman became the 14th head coach in Creighton history following the 1993-94 season after four years as the head coach at Kansas State
. Hired on March 31, 1994, Altman inherited a team that posted a 7-22 ledger the year before his arrival and led the Bluejays to a slightly improved 7-19 record in 1994-95 before his 1995-96 squad jumped to 14-15. In 1996-97, Altman’s team was 15-15 and followed with another substantial jump to 18-10 and a bid to the NIT
in 1997-98.
Altman arrived at Creighton after compiling a 68-54 record in four seasons (1990–94) at Kansas State University. During that time, Altman led the Wildcats to three straight postseason tourneys and was named the Big Eight Conference
Coach of the Year after leading KSU to a 19-11 record and an appearance at the NCAA Tournament
in 1993.
On April 2, 2007, Altman announced that he would become the head coach for the Arkansas Razorbacks
, in a deal that was rumored to be $1.5 million per year, 5-year contract. Only one day later he had a change of heart and returned to Omaha and his team at Creighton, citing family reasons. He became the first coach since Bobby Cremins
to renege on a marquee job and return (Cremins accepted the job at South Carolina
and returned to coach Georgia Tech
's Yellow Jackets
).
On February 5, 2009, Altman won his 300th game as Creighton head coach. In his first 13 years at Creighton, Altman ranked third all-time on the coaching victories list in the 99-year history of the Missouri Valley Conference
, trailing only Hall of Fame coaches Henry Iba
and Eddie Hickey
. His record in 16 seasons with the Creighton Bluejays
was 327-176.
Ducks
. The university made it official on April 26 with a press conference. Altman will coach against Creighton for the first time when the Ducks and Jays meet at Quest Center Omaha Monday March 28th 2011.
. He is married to the former Reva Phillips. They have three sons Jordan, Chase, and Spencer, and 1 daughter, Audra. Altman, an Eagle Scout
in the Boy Scouts of America
, received a Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
in 2008.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
coach. He became the head coach of the Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
Ducks men's basketball
Oregon Ducks men's basketball
Oregon Ducks men’s college basketball is an intercollegiate basketball program that competes in the NCAA Division I and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference, representing the University of Oregon. The Ducks play their home games at Matthew Knight Arena. Oregon, then coached by Howard Hobson, won...
team in April, 2010. Before then, he was head coach at Creighton University
Creighton University
Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by...
for 16 years. His total record in 22 seasons as a Division I head coach is 431-261.
College education
Dana Altman began playing college basketballCollege basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at Southeast Community College
Southeast Community College
Southeast Community College is a community college system located in the southeast portion of the U.S. state of Nebraska.- Locations :The college includes three campuses and more than 20 off-campus sites in 15 counties...
in Fairbury
Fairbury, Nebraska
Fairbury is a city in Jefferson County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 4,262 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Jefferson County....
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. He earned an associate degree in business administration there in 1978. He then received his undergraduate degree in the same field at Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University , frequently called Eastern, is a state university in Portales, Roosevelt County, New Mexico, USA...
in 1980.
Kansas State
Although his four-year tenure as Kansas StateKansas State Wildcats
Kansas State University's athletic teams are called the Wildcats. The official color of the teams is Royal Purple, making Kansas State one of very few schools that have only one official color; white and silver are generally used as complementary colors.Kansas State participates in...
’s head coach produced one NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
appearance, Dana Altman will be remembered most for his ability to win close ball games, and for pulling off some of the biggest upsets in school history.
Altman’s teams were 28-13 in games decided by six points or less, which included a 6-1 mark in one-point games. His 1992-93 club perpetuated a Kansas State tradition. Picked to finish last in the Big Eight, Altman’s Wildcats won 11 games in the final minute, earned the school’s first Top 25 ranking in five seasons, finished 19-11, reached the championship game of the Big Eight Tournament and returned Kansas State to the NCAA Tournament for the 21st time.
Altman’s peers named him Big Eight Coach-of-the-Year in 1993 and he capped the season by upsetting No. 6 Kansas 74-67 in the semifinals of the conference tournament.
The following season, he made it two in a row over Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
when he upset the No. 1 ranked Jayhawks
Kansas Jayhawks Basketball
The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball program of the University of Kansas Jayhawks and is one of the most successful and prestigious programs in the history of college basketball...
68-64 on ESPN in Lawrence
Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
. His 1993-94 squad finished the season with a 20-14 record and advanced to the NIT Final Four in New York City. Following the season, he accepted the head coaching position at Creighton University
Creighton University
Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by...
in his home state of Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
.
Creighton
During his time at Creighton UniversityCreighton University
Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the school is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university is accredited by...
, his athletes had earned three All-American honors on the court and three other Academic All-America laurels in the classroom. Three players he coached at Creighton, Kyle Korver
Kyle Korver
Kyle Elliot Korver is an American basketball player, who currently plays for the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association...
, Rodney Buford
Rodney Buford
Rodney Alan "The Sheriff" Buford, is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the London Lightning of the National Basketball League of Canada....
, and Anthony Tolliver
Anthony Tolliver
Anthony Tolliver an American professional basketball player who plays for the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. He attended Creighton University in Nebraska.-High school and college career:...
, have played in the NBA.
Altman was named Valley Coach of the Year twice; 2001 and 2002. Altman was a finalist for the Naismith College Coach of the Year
Naismith College Coach of the Year
Naismith College Coach of the Year Award is an award given by the Atlanta Tipoff Club to one men's and one women's NCAA Division I collegiate coach each season since 1987...
and named the NABC District 12 and USBWA District VI Coach of the Year in 2002-03.
Altman became the 14th head coach in Creighton history following the 1993-94 season after four years as the head coach at Kansas State
Kansas State University
Kansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States...
. Hired on March 31, 1994, Altman inherited a team that posted a 7-22 ledger the year before his arrival and led the Bluejays to a slightly improved 7-19 record in 1994-95 before his 1995-96 squad jumped to 14-15. In 1996-97, Altman’s team was 15-15 and followed with another substantial jump to 18-10 and a bid to the NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
in 1997-98.
Altman arrived at Creighton after compiling a 68-54 record in four seasons (1990–94) at Kansas State University. During that time, Altman led the Wildcats to three straight postseason tourneys and was named the Big Eight Conference
Big Eight Conference
The Big Eight Conference, a former NCAA-affiliated Division I-A college athletic association that sponsored football, was formed in January 1907 as the Missouri Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Association by its charter member schools: the University of Kansas, University of Missouri, University...
Coach of the Year after leading KSU to a 19-11 record and an appearance at the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
in 1993.
On April 2, 2007, Altman announced that he would become the head coach for the Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks, also known as the Hogs, are the names of college sports teams at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The term Arkansas Razorbacks properly applies to any of the sports teams at the university. The Razorbacks take their name from the feral pig of the same name...
, in a deal that was rumored to be $1.5 million per year, 5-year contract. Only one day later he had a change of heart and returned to Omaha and his team at Creighton, citing family reasons. He became the first coach since Bobby Cremins
Bobby Cremins
Bobby Cremins is an American college basketball coach and the current head coach of the College of Charleston's men's basketball team, and former head coach at Appalachian State and Georgia Tech.-Early years:...
to renege on a marquee job and return (Cremins accepted the job at South Carolina
South Carolina Gamecocks
The University of South Carolina's 19 varsity sports teams are known as the "Gamecocks". The unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics, regardless of his...
and returned to coach Georgia Tech
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
's Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The Yellow Jackets is the name used for all of the intercollegiate athletic teams that play for the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. The teams have also been nicknamed the Ramblin' Wreck, Engineers, Blacksmiths, and Golden Tornado. There are 8 men's and 7 women's teams that...
).
On February 5, 2009, Altman won his 300th game as Creighton head coach. In his first 13 years at Creighton, Altman ranked third all-time on the coaching victories list in the 99-year history of the Missouri Valley Conference
Missouri Valley Conference
The Missouri Valley Conference is a college athletic conference whose members are located in the midwestern United States...
, trailing only Hall of Fame coaches Henry Iba
Henry Iba
Henry Payne "Hank" Iba was an American basketball and baseball coach.-Early life:Iba was born and raised in Easton, Missouri...
and Eddie Hickey
Eddie Hickey
Edgar S. "Eddie" Hickey was a college men's basketball coach. He coached at his alma mater of Creighton University , St. Louis University and Marquette University , compiling a 436-231 record...
. His record in 16 seasons with the Creighton Bluejays
Creighton Bluejays
The Creighton Bluejays, or Jays, are the athletic teams of Creighton University, a Jesuit/Catholic University located in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Creighton competes in NCAA Division I athletics, competing in the Missouri Valley Conference...
was 327-176.
Oregon
On April 24, 2010, it was widely reported that Altman had agreed to a 7-year contract worth nearly $2 million per year with the OregonUniversity of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
Ducks
Oregon Ducks
The Oregon Ducks refers to the sports teams of the University of Oregon, located in Eugene, Oregon. The Oregon Ducks are part of the Pacific-12 Conference in the Division 1 of the NCAA. With seventeen varsity teams, the Oregon Ducks are best known for their football team and Track and Field...
. The university made it official on April 26 with a press conference. Altman will coach against Creighton for the first time when the Ducks and Jays meet at Quest Center Omaha Monday March 28th 2011.
Head coaching record
Personal life
Altman was born in Crete, NebraskaCrete, Nebraska
Crete is a city in Saline County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 6,960 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Crete is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
. He is married to the former Reva Phillips. They have three sons Jordan, Chase, and Spencer, and 1 daughter, Audra. Altman, an Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
in the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
, received a Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
Distinguished Eagle Scout Award
The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award is a distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America . It is awarded to an Eagle Scout for distinguished service in his profession and to his community for a period of at least 25 years after attaining the level of Eagle Scout...
in 2008.