Until now.
According to multiple outlets and websites, former Stanford, Notre Dame and Washington head coach Tyrone Willingham is the most recognizable name from a list of about 20 coaches making the rounds as potential options for the Rebels.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal has unveiled an impressively large pool of candidates, ranging from current college head coaches to NFL assistants.
Indications are UNLV prefers someone with head coaching experience, and the following current head coaches have been floated: Idaho's Robb Akey, Buffalo's Turner Gill, Montana's Bobby Hauck and Fresno State's Pat Hill. Hill also has UNLV ties, having served as offensive coordinator in 1981 and 1982.But others have head coaching experience, such as Washington defensive coordinator Nick Holt (Idaho), Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter (Boise State, Arizona State) and San Diego State defensive coordinator Rocky Long (New Mexico).The other names sources have mentioned are Robert Anae, Brigham Young offensive coordinator; Rob Ianello, Notre Dame assistant head coach; Andy Ludwig, California offensive coordinator; Brent Venables, Oklahoma defensive coordinator and associate head coach; and Kirby Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers running backs coach.
Regardless of who lands the position with the Rebels, they are looking at a serious pay upgrade over what Sanford received from the school.
According to the Review-Journal, the new coach is looking at a yearly salary of around $700,00; Sanford is slated to make $425,000 this season.
The bump in pay would make it somewhat comparable to other top-tier Mountain West schools, and would obviously make the position more attractive and ostensibly draw in higher-quality candidates.
I am a Ty fan. When South Bend gets honest and lets the fat boy go, they might just remember that Ty Willingham is available again. But if he takes the UNLV job I will still follow him because I consider him a man of integrity. He can walk the sidelines looking trim and South Bend only has a "fat wobbler" on the sidelines right now. But I consider his days numbered at the Irish house. Good luck Ty whatever you do.
uncommonjohn, you also sound like a man of integrity. Seriously though, this is the only type of HC job Willingham should/would be able to have and do OK at. If we've learned anything from his last 2 gigs, he can't win at a big-time school.