FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Dana Altman admits he's pretty boring. His personality, that is. His coaching philosophy is a different story.

Arkansas guard Gary Ervin talks with new men's basketball coach Dana Altman following a news conference where Altman was named to the position on Monday, April 2, 2007, in Fayetteville, Ark. Altman replaces Stan Heath who was terminated in late March. (AP Photo/Beth Hall)

"We press 40 minutes a game," Altman said while being introduced as Arkansas' new basketball coach Monday.

That comment drew immediate applause. The Razorbacks' weeklong search for a coach is over, so fans can start learning more about what's ahead.

Altman tried to provide a preview.

"Defensively, we've been identified as a pressing team that changes defenses quite a bit," said Altman, who coached the last 13 seasons at Creighton. "A team that gets up and down the floor, and spreads the floor and drives the ball to the basket pretty aggressively. And that's the way we intend to set our mark here."

Altman was introduced at a news conference in Bud Walton Arena, with athletic director Frank Broyles leading a "Pig Sooie" cheer. Altman said he was excited to follow in the footsteps of Eddie Sutton and Nolan Richardson. Sutton, also a former Creighton coach, took Arkansas to the Final Four in 1978. Richardson's teams reached the Final Four in 1990, 1994 and 1995 and won the national title in 1994 with a style of play dubbed "40 Minutes of Hell."

Heath was fired March 26. He agreed Monday to coach South Florida.

Arkansas eyed Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie. The Razorbacks also received permission to talk to Memphis coach John Calipari — so Altman probably isn't the type of big name some Arkansas fans were hoping for.

Broyles said he knows of very few recent examples of a coach leaving one major conference team for another.

"Virtually 95 percent of the hires are people who — I call them non-BCS schools, but they're playing tough basketball," Broyles said. "We knew we were eventually going to have to look for someone who had sustained success, played the style of basketball that our fans like, and be willing to come and build our program back."

The program won't need that much building. Arkansas made the NCAA tournament in 2006 and 2007 and had no seniors this season.

The Razorbacks heard some good news immediately after the news conference. Freshman Patrick Beverley, this year's Southeastern Conference newcomer of the year, announced he is staying at Arkansas. He had wavered since Heath was fired.

Offensively, Altman said he might have to adjust to his new players. Beverley plays on the perimeter, but the Razorbacks have some solid big men, such as 7-footer Steven Hill and forward Darian Townes.

"We have traditionally taken a lot of 3s, but looking at the size of some of our players coming back next year, we might go inside a little bit more," Altman said. "But we will push the ball up and down the floor."

Arkansas' attendance has been a concern lately, and Broyles stressed Creighton's ability to draw a crowd under Altman. The Bluejays averaged almost 16,000 fans this season.

"It's not just Xs and Os," Broyles said. "You're doing something special because the fans want to come see you play."

Altman was 260-141 at Creighton. The Nebraska school went 22-11 this season for its ninth straight 20-win season, a Missouri Valley Conference record.

"You don't stay in a place 13 years, and in 72 hours change your feelings about a special place and a special group of players that I had," Altman said. "So today, although I'm very excited, has also been very tough."

Altman is 343-208 in 18 years at the Division I level. He coached at Marshall and Kansas State before going to Creighton. He has been linked to other jobs in the past — such as Illinois and Minnesota — but the Bluejays managed to keep him until now.

Heath took over at Arkansas after Richardson was fired in 2002, and it's been a while since the Razorbacks enjoyed much success on a national scale. Arkansas hasn't won an NCAA tournament game since 1999.

Altman will be charged with helping the Razorbacks reach the next level again. It's a challenge he looks forward to.

"I'm 48 years old," Altman said. "And with your permission I'd like to finish my career at the University of Arkansas."