With the 2023-24 NCAA basketball season winding down, the Oregon Ducks, barring a deep run in the Pac-12 tournament, figure to miss out on the upcoming NCAA tournament.
Coach Dana Altman is wrapping up his 14th season with the Ducks, and there have been some inklings that he could be nearing the end of his coaching career. Amid recent rumors that he was considering retirement, Altman provided an update on his future on Tuesday.
“I don’t know who said it, I know I didn’t,” said Altman of the possibility of retiring after the season, via 247Sports. “I haven’t talked to anyone, so whoever is saying that, it’s pure speculation. I’m not going anywhere, unless this school tells me to. I’m not retiring, that’s for sure."
In February, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello reported that “the buzz surrounding a potential retirement from Oregon's Dana Altman (65) is getting louder.” A Tuesday report from CBS Sports indicated “increased noise” in regard to Altman potentially stepping away.
Altman has been Oregon’s basketball coach since the 2010-11 season. He owns a career record of 340–150 with the Ducks, having made seven appearances in the NCAA tournament and one run to the Final Four, as well as winning three Pac-12 championships as the program’s winningest coach.
Under contract through the 2027-28 season after signing a one-year extension ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, Altman is due to make $3.775 million each season through ‘25-‘26, and will make $4 million in each of the final two years of his deal.
Buying out Altman’s contract would cost Oregon a staggering $19 million, and it would cost $4 million if he left for another a program, according to James Crepea of The Oregonian.
