default-cbs-image

Even UCLA coach Steve Alford knows this wasn't a good season in Westwood.

Now it appears that someone has arranged for banner reading "UCLA deserves better, fire Alford!" to be flown around, I guess in hopes of sending a message to the university. 

Now I've got a message for whoever put together the money for the banner: it ain't happening. For a deeper dive on why I'd encourage you to read Sam Vecenie's plugged-in take on the topic. 

Yes, fans have reason to be mad about season in which USC swept UCLA in a season for the first time since 1942. Fans also are likely mad that a team that beat Kentucky, Gonzaga and Arizona ended up 15-17 and out of the tournament after three straight Sweet 16 appearances. 

But that's the thing, Alford not only has a pretty good postseason record with UCLA but also one of the best recruiting classes in the nation coming in next season. It's so good it features two five-star recruits in Lorenzo Ball and T.J. Leaf. There's no way UCLA would take the financial risks necessary to make a coaching change that would also risk losing one of the top recruiting classes in the country.

UCLA fans paid to have a fire Steve Alford banner flown around. (Twitter)