Steve Alford has been hired to become the next head coach at UCLA, replacing Ben Howland.

Alford had agreed to a 10-year extension at New Mexico last week.

"I have been so fortunate and blessed in my life, and an opportunity to lead the one of the greatest programs in college basketball history is once in a lifetime," Alford said in a statement released by the school. "It is an honor to be the head coach at UCLA, yet it is also a responsibility to ensure that our former, current and future players and fans are proud to be Bruins. I am grateful to chancellor Gene Block and Dan Guerrero for this amazing opportunity and I can't wait to get started."

Alford had spent six seasons at New Mexico with tournament appearances in 2010, 2012 and 2013.

Tony Snell will enter the NBA draft.

Snell is unlikely to return to New Mexico next season, sources with knowledge of the player’s thinking confirmed.

Snell was selected to the Mountain West All-Conference third team this season as a junior.

Steve Alford and New Mexico have agreed upon a 10-year contract that will keep him with the school through 2023.

“We want him to be here at the University of New Mexico a long time,” said UNM Athletics Director Paul Krebs. “Steve’s done a tremendous job — not only in wins and losses, but in graduation rate, presence in community the good will. Look at all the national publicity about the program we’ve been receiving and he’s been a very good representative of this university in this time.”

New Mexico defeated UNLV by a final score of 63-56 to win the 2013 Mountain West Tournament.

New Mexico's Tony Snell was named Tournament MVP, and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by teammate Cameron Bairstow, UNLV's Anthony Bennett and Katin Reinhardt, and Colorado State's Colton Iverson.

New Mexico's Kendall Williams has been named the 2013 Mountain West Player of the Year.

Williams was joined on the All-Conference First Team by UNLV's Anthony Bennett, San Diego State's Jamaal Franklin, Colorado State's Colton Iverson and Michael Lyons of Air Force.

Bennett was also named Freshman of the Year, while teammate Khem Birch won Defensive Player of the Year honors.