Razor-back out: Altman changes mind, returns to Creighton

Apr 4, 2007, 0:40 GMT

Fayetteville, AR - One day after accepting the head coaching job at Arkansas, Dana Altman changed his mind Tuesday and is returning to Creighton.

According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Chancellor John White held an evening news conference and announced that Altman was returning to Creighton. Altman was also at the news conference and cited family interests as to why his is returning to the Bluejays program and passing up on a reported $1.5 million for the next five years with the Razorbacks.

In 13 seasons with Creighton, Altman has led the team to a 260-141 record, seven NCAA Tournament appearances and three NIT appearances. His team finished 22-11 this past season and won the Missouri Valley Conference title with a 67-61 win over No. 11 Southern Illinois before falling to Nevada in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, 77-71.

Stan Heath was fired at Arkansas just last week after leading the Razorbacks to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two seasons. He spent five years in Fayetteville and guided the school to a record of 82-71. On Monday, when Altman was introduced at Arkansas, Heath accepted the head coaching job at South Florida.

Despite the winning record, Heath's teams were just 31-49 in the rugged Southeastern Conference. The Razorbacks were in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament this year, but a run to the SEC Tournament title game helped them gain an at-large bid. They were rewarded with a 12th seed in the NCAA tourney and dropped a 77-60 decision to Southern California in the first round to complete a 21-14 season.

The Razorbacks also suffered a first-round loss in the 2006 NCAA Tournament, an appearance that ended a four-year NCAA drought.

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