Dana Altman

Dana Altman

Dana Altman (born on June 16, 1958 in Crete, Nebraska) is currently the head coach of the Creighton Bluejays men's basketball team. In his 13 years at Creighton, Altman ranks 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 13 seasons with the Creighton Bluejays is 260-141; his total record in 18 seasons as a Division I head coach is 343-208.

During his time at Creighton University, his athletes had earned three All-American honors on the court and three other Academic All-America laurels in the classroom. Two players he had coached at Creighton, Kyle Korver and Rodney Buford, have played in the NBA. Kyle Korver currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Altman was named MVC Coach of the Year twice; 2001 and 2002. Altman was a finalist for the prestigious Naismith National 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 juped 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. Altman had the chance to coach in a big time league with a real chance to win a national championship, but it was too much outside of his comfort zone.

After the 2007 had ended Altman accepted the head coach position at Arkansas after they had fired Stan Heath. However, about 24 hours after he was introduced as the Arkansas head coach Altman, after sitting and talking with family and friends, realized he could not accept the head coach position at Arkansas, that his heart was at Creighton. In doing so he committed career suicide as no big time program will ever approach Altman again. Altman realized that some people are not cut out for the big time and the he is better suited for the low pressure expectations of a small mid-major school. Altman plans to completely dominate the NIT for years to come.