Maize is Runnin' With The Rebels

[Deuce2223]

Good luck with the Running Rebs. When I was playing College Hoops, UNLV was always one of my dream jobs, but for football, it's a laughing stock...

From your list of potential coaches, I give my endorsement of Wilcox. He was great at BSU and being how he knows Coach Pete well he knows how to coach against the Broncos, proven this year when BSU got waxed by the Huskies. He also did a good job when he was at Tennessee as well.

[Maize08]

Quote: Originally Posted by Deuce2223

Good luck with the Running Rebs. When I was playing College Hoops, UNLV was always one of my dream jobs, but for football, it's a laughing stock... From your list of potential coaches, I give my endorsement of Wilcox. He was great at BSU and being how he knows Coach Pete well he knows how to coach against the Broncos, proven this year when BSU got waxed by the Huskies. He also did a good job when he was at Tennessee as well.

UNLV is a laughing stock, the little success that have had it has never been sustained. Wilcox is a great coach, good call. I'll post the article about the new coach now.

[Maize08]

Justin Wilcox Named New UNLV Head Coach
In two weeks since taking the job as Athletic Director, Stephanie Rempe was already faced with a critical decision. After a week of interviews, it seemed there were three front-runners for the football coach vacancy. Jim Leavitt, Justin Wilcox and Nick Rolovich all were given on-campus interviews but the favorite was quickly leaked.

Justin Wilcox, Washington's Defensive Coordinator is preparing his Huskies for the Rose Bowl. The 37 year old is in his second season in Seattle, after serving as Defensive Coordinator at Tennessee and Boise State. In his 12-year coaching career, Wilcox has made a name for himself that has led him to Las Vegas.

In an introductory Press Conference, UNLV introduced their 11th Head Coach in the program's history. Wilcox will officially join the team on January 2nd, making a commitment to coach the Huskies in the Rose Bowl.

This year, Washington's defense is ranked 14th nationally and the team is 11-2 and recently beat Utah in the Pac-12 Championship. The team's only losses were to Oregon and UCLA, but they still survived the tough Pac-12 North. Head Coach Steve Sarkisian credited Wilcox's defense for the team's success.

Wilcox played football under Mike Bellotti, starting two years at safety. After getting his education, his coaching career started right away. Working under Dan Hawkins at Boise State, Jeff Tedford offered him a job at Cal. In three years with Cal., the Bears went 26-12 and had three bowl appearances.

After three seasons, Boise State's new Head Coach Chris Petersen hired Wilcox to run the defense. Each season in Boise, the Broncos had the top defense in the WAC; including the 2006 season when they had the sixth best rush defense and went 13-0 with the infamous win over Oklahoma.

A stop in Tennessee under Derek Dooley only improved his resume. In the SEC, Wilcox coached a top 30 unit in 2011 before he was hired by Sarkisian to turn around the Huskies.

Along the way, Wilcox has made many connections that will potentially dot the coaching staff. The only known staffer besides Wilcox is Peter Sirmon. Sirmon coached with Wilcox at Washington and Tennessee. He is expected to be the team's Recruiting Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach.

To double-down on the football program, it was announced the football program will have a $2.75 million budgeted for the coaching staff's salary. Wilcox will make $975,000 over four years as a base, with incentives built-in.

UNLV has made a big splash by getting a highly respected coordinator to take over the program. Both Sirmon and Wilcox are also skilled recruiters and many are hoping this could be a turning point for the Rebel's football program.

[Maize08]

End of 2013
Overall Record: 2-10
Conference Record: 1-7
Home Record: 2-4
Schedule/Results:

Spoiler

@ Minnesota - L - 23-51
@ Arizona - L - 13-58
vs. C. Michigan - W - 35-28
vs. W. Illinois - L - 26-35
@ New Mexico - L - 7-35
vs. Hawaii - W - 20-7
@ Fresno State - L - 24-45
@ Nevada - L - 0-35
vs. San Jose St. - L - 10-27
vs. Utah State - L - 10-35
@ Air Force - L - 20-21
vs. San Diego St. - L - 13-35

Team MVP (Offense): SR. Tim Cornet, RB
Team MVP (Defense): SR. Mark Garrick, DT
Team Awards/Accolades: None
Heisman Winner: QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
Conference Champion: Fresno State (8-1)
National Champion: Alabama (12-2) over Ohio State (12-2) in BCS National Championship

[Maize08]

Final Team Statistics

UNLV Final Statistics Stats - 2013
Passing	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	YDS/G	LONG	TD	INT	RAT
Nick Sherry	189/443	2,668	14.1	222.3	61	13	14	96.6
Rushing	ATT	YDS	AVG	LONG	20+	TD	YDS/G	FUM
Tim Cornett	151	745	4.9	18	0	6	74.5	2
Adonis Smith	83	362	4.3	14	0	0	30.1	4
Nick Sherry	102	142	1.3	9	0	2	11.8	3
Niko Kapeli	13	40	3.0	7	0	1	4.0	1
Receiving	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG	DROPS	YDS/G	YAC
Devante Davis	59	936	15.8	4	56	11	78.0	348
Marcus Sullivan	38	386	10.1	2	36	7	32.1	116
Caleb Herring	29	361	12.4	1	38	9	32.8	161
Jake Phillips	22	441	20.0	4	61	2	44.1	254
Tim Cornett	16	247	15.4	1	50	1	24.7	95
Anthony Williams	11	105	9.5	0	27	5	8.7	29
Blocking					PCAKE		SACK
Ron Scroggins, LG					18		4
Robert Waterman, C					18		10
Nick Gstrein, RG					16		5
Brett Boyko, LT					15		4
Alex Novosel, RT					13		8
Cameron Jefferson, LT					7		1
	Tackles			Sacks		Interceptions
Defense	SOLO	AST	TOT	SACK	TLOSS	PD	INT	TD
Tim Hasson	41	55	96	4.5	15	6	2	0
Eric Tuiloma	44	43	87	5.0	14	4	2	0
Jordan Sparkman	48	19	67	6.0	20	5	0	0
Sidney Hodge	31	27	58	0.0	2	7	0	0
Parker Holloway	25	31	56	2.0	8	3	0	0
Mark Garrick	29	20	49	4.5	11	1	0	0
Tani Maka	25	22	47	0.5	3	4	0	0
Peni Vea	20	21	41	0.0	1	6	2	0
Tyler Gaston	26	14	40	2.5	9	0	0	0
Tajh Hasson	21	6	27	0.0	1	3	1	0
	Kickoffs					Punts
Returning	ATT	YDS	AVG	LONG	TD	RET	AVG	TD
Adonis Smith	30	679	22.6	45	0
Marcus Sullivan	27	638	23.6	55	0	31	8.9	0
	Field Goals				Extra Points
Kicking	FGM	FGA	PCT	LONG	XPM	XPA	PCT	PTS
Nolan Kohorst	11	17	64%	49	21	21	100%	54
Punting	PUNTS	YDS	LONG	AVG	NET	BP	IN20	TB
Logan Yunker	75	2,916	61	38.8	31.6	1	19	9

[Maize08]

Players Leaving
15 players: 10 starters (2 on Offense, 7 on Defense, 1 on Special Teams)
Tim Cornet, RB - 85 overall - Starter
Mark Garrick, DT - 79 overall - Starter
Tim Hasson, OLB - 78 overall - Starter
Nolan Kohorst, K - 76 overall - Starter
Tyler Gaston, DT - 75 overall - Starter
Sidney Hodge, CB - 74 overall - Starter
Tani Maka, MLB - 74 overall - Starter
Alex Klorman, DT - 73 overall
Eric Tuiloma, OLB - 73 overall - Starter
Caleb Herring, WR - 73 overall - Starter
Parker Holloway, DE - 72 overall - Starter
Max Ehlert, MLB - 67 overall
John Therrell, FS - 66 overall
Brad Overand, LG - 64 overall
Max Johnson, FB - 49 overall

[Maize08]

Breaking Down the Coaching Carousel
A quiet off-season for Head Coaching changes ended with some familiar faces in new places. It started with Maryland, who started the season hot and finished ice cold. A 6-6 mark cost Randy Edsall his job, right as Maryland prepares to join the Big Ten. UMD made a Midwest hire, bringing in Ball State Head Coach Pete Lembo. Lembo led the Cardinals to a 9-win season and caught the attention of two Big Ten schools. In the end, he stayed in red.

As for Edsall, he is heading South. Trent Miles was fired from new(er) FBS member, Georgia State. Edsall takes over the program, hoping to build what he was able to do at UConn. The other open B1G job was Minnesota. Jerry Kill resigned citing health concerns. The Golden Gophers were 5-7 last season and will now be under the guide of Tom Herman. Ohio State's Offensive Coordinator is getting his first crack at Head Coaching.

Sticking down south, Tony Levine was fired after two seasons at Houston. David Bailiff of Rice left the Owls for the Cougars, a financial move and a move from the C-USA to AAC. The Rice job wasn't open for long; the Owls hired Bobby Petrino away from Western Kentucky. What seemed to be a lateral move for Petrino does put him closer to his former employer (Arkansas).

The Mountain West will also feature two new Coordinators-turned-Head Coaches. Norm Chow's retirement from his post at Hawaii left the door open for Louisville OC Shawn Watson. Watson took over even though many expected Nick Rolovich to get the job at his alma mater. Instead, Rolovich will replace Petrino at WKU. Finally, UNLV brought in a new AD from Washington. So why not hire the Huskies' Defensive Coordinator? Justin Wilcox takes over the Rebels with a lot on his plate to turn things around in Vegas.

[Maize08]

2014 UNLV Football Coaching Staff
After the recent hire of Head Coach Justin Wilcox, UNLV also announced an increased to the football staff's budget. Athletic Director Stephanie Rempe mentioned that in the seasons Washington went from 0-12 to 5-7, "part of the turnaround was giving new Head Coach Steve Sarkisian the resources necessary to win."

Now, UNLV is trying to turn around a tradition of below-average football. As Wilcox and his staff hit the recruiting trail, they are trying to sell a comeback story. Only 10 days remain before National Signing Day and UNLV announced the full Coaching Staff just in time.

Here is a rundown of the eight coaches filling out Wilcox staff for 2014:

Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator - Tommy West - Former Head Coach at Clemson and Memphis, West brings much needed experience to an otherwise young staff. He spent 2012 as Souther Miss' Defensive Coordinator, he was let go when new Head Coach Todd Monken was brought in. West spent last year out of football, but will come back running Wilcox signature 4-2-5 defense. West will also help his first year Head Coach, having spent 15 years as a Head Coach at the FBS level.

Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator - Peter Sirmon - Sirmon is considered Wilcox "right hand man" after moving from Tennessee to Washington with him. The Washington native and Oregon alum has ties to the area, and will take over UNLV's recruiting efforts. It is expected UNLV will head west, recruiting more from the Pacific Northwest. Sirmon will also coach linebackers, along with his administrative duties.

Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach - Darin Hinshaw - The former record-setting Quarterback at UCF, Hinshaw is an up-and-coming offensive mind. Last year, he coached at Cincinnati as Passing Game Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. His specialty is the passing game, and he helped Tyler Bray break passing records while being the Offensive Coordinator under Derek Dooley at Tennessee. Hinshaw worked with Wilcox and Sirmon at Tennessee. He was their first phone call to run the Rebel's offense. Hinshaw put them in touch with his former boss, Tommy West; Hinshaw spent three years as an assistant under West at Memphis. The offense is expected to play a faster tempo, primarily out of the shotgun and with an "emphasis on the passing game."

Running Backs Coach/Special Teams Coordinator - Eric Mele - Mele comes from Pullman, serving two seasons under WAZU Head Coach Mike Leach. Mele helped with the running game as "Offensive Quality Control Assistant," and also helped with special teams. He served five years at Wingate University doing exactly what he will do at UNLV. Mele has experience working in pass-oriented offenses and has a specialty in working with kickers and punters.

Receivers Coach - Blake Rolan - Rolan comes over with OC Darin Hinshaw from Cincinnati. He was receivers coach for the Bearcats last season, previously serving for three years under Hinshaw at Tennessee. The Louisville graduate had served under Tommy Tuberville twice (Auburn and UC), but will take a larger role with the offense at UNLV.

Offensive Line Coach - Glen Elarbee - Coaching changes at the University of Houston meant Coach Elarbee was available and interested in joining his former colleague, Darin Hinshaw. The two had worked at Middle Tennessee State together, Elarbee's alma mater where he had started 35 games in his collegiate career. His coaching career led him to Oklahoma State and LSU, working his way to being MTSU's Offensive Line Coach and finally spending last year in the same position with Houston.

Defensive Line Coach - Michael Gray - The only coach retained from last year's UNLV staff, Gray will start his fifth season with the Rebels. Gray's decades of experience had him working in the NFL, coaching Oregon's line ('05-'08) and even in the CFL. The former pro player brings a passion to coaching that was quickly recognized by Wilcox. He will have to learn a new defense, but Gray is looking forward to the challenge.

Defensive Backs Coach - Kenyon Blue - Blue is getting his first coaching job after spending last year as a Graduate Assistant on Washington's staff. He came to the Huskies from Purdue, having worked with the cornerbacks and secondary during both stops. Wilcox and Sirmon both worked with him last season and were excited to bring him to UNLV.