A day after he was proclaimed Arkansas’ basketball coach inside Walton Arena, Dana Altman went just outside Walton Tuesday evening to announce he’s going back to Creighton University in Omaha. Neb.

With Arkansas athletics director Frank Broyles flying back to Fayetteville Tuesday night after initially thinking he was free to attend The Masters in Augusta, Ga., upon hiring Altman Monday, University of Arkansas Chancellor Dr. John White and Altman faced the press to announce the native Nebraskan’s decision to return to Omaha and Creighton where he’s coached the past 13 seasons.

Altman for one day replaced Stan Heath, the Arkansas coach dismissed after five years and named Tuesday as the head coach at the University of South Florida.

“ I met with Coach Altman today and he has informed me of his decision to return to Creighton, ” White said. “ I knew this was very difficult for him and his family because they are native Nebraskans. As he came and the reality of the decision impacted him, he made the decision what was in his best interest and the interest of his family. ”

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White said the search for a new coach resumes and that he and Broyles “ have discussed the situation and we will be engaging the services of an executive search firm to assist us in conducting a search. ”

An apologetic Altman said the decision to go home was “ totally family based, ” not Arkansas based.

“ It is with deep regret that I inform you I have decided to return to Creighton, ” Altman said. “ I want to sincerely apologize to Chancellor White, Coach Broyles and the Razorback fans and particularly the players here. This is a decision that was tough. I poured my heart and soul into Creighton University for 13 years, and in the final analysis, I just can’t leave.

“ I hope Chancellor White and Coach Broyles after they get over the disappointment of my decision will understand that this is something I am doing for my family. I just wish I had come to that decision earlier. ”

Altman blamed his premature decision to leave Creighton on “ ego” for the opportunity to coach Arkansas, a national championship winner under former coach Nolan Richardson in 1994 and also a national contender under Eddie Sutton, who came from Creighton in 1974 to coach Arkansas for 11 years.

“ Looking back, it was a decision I made rather quickly and maybe it was a little bit of a selfish decision, ” Altman said. “ My ego got involved with the opportunity to coach at this program and this university. But it was something today my heart just wouldn’t allow me to do. ”

Altman had talked to Broyles by phone and White in person at different junctures totaling “ about three hours, ” White said, before he called Creighton to see if he could return.

When told he could have his Creighton job back, Altman told White of his decision at 5: 15 p. m.

En route to Fayetteville, Broyles issued a statement Monday night through the UA Sports Information Department.

“ I am disappointed that Coach Altman has decided to return to Creighton University, ” Broyles said. “ He put 13 years into that program and leaving his home state proved more difficult than he could have imagined. ”

Broyles also said he and White have discussed the next steps.

“ I am confident that we will find the right coach for this program, ” Broyles said. “ Our players and the Razorback fans deserve a coach committed to returning our basketball program to sustained success at the highest level. ”

White said he is disappointed, especially for the players who seemed enthused after a team meeting with Altman Monday, but White said ultimately this will be “ a bump in the road. ”

“ We’ll get past this, ” White said, “ and I’m very confident that we’re going to get a terrific coach. ”

White said the process won’t be rushed even with recruiting in full swing, including the Real Deal On The Hill AAU tournament this weekend in Northwest Arkansas.

“ We are going to take the time to get the right person for the job, ” White said. “ We are not going to be driven by who is available first. We suspect there is going to be a lot of movement and a lot of opportunity for us in the next few days. ”

In the meantime, Glynn Cyprien, the lone assistant remaining from the Heath regime, tends to the basketball program’s day to day operations.