Sanford knows time is tight

He led UNLV to a winning season in just his second year as coach, but John Robinson said conditions in 2008 are much different than that Las Vegas Bowl-victory year of 2000. Coaches are now forced to think long term in trying to build a football program.

Current Rebels coach Mike Sanford agrees a strong commitment over time is about the only way to establish a turnaround. Perhaps more importantly, so does athletic director Mike Hamrick.

But time is a relative term.

How much time does Sanford have to turn UNLV's football program into a winner? He'll open his fourth season with a 7 p.m. Saturday kickoff against Utah State at Sam Boyd Stadium,

Does he get a fifth season regardless? Does he need to win a certain number of games? Is the state's economy a factor?

Only time will tell.

"I've never said, 'You've got to win "X" amount of games,' " Hamrick said. "If the program's getting better and moving in the right direction, then you as an AD take that into consideration."

Sanford spent the preseason deflecting questions about his future.

"This thing is not about me," Sanford said. "This is about a bunch of people that are involved in this thing. This is about a bunch of assistant coaches, strength coach and a bunch of football players that have invested a lot expecting to see a return on their investment."

Football anywhere is a group effort, but the head coach is the focus in good and bad times. He establishes the program's philosophy, oversees recruiting and makes the major decisions.

And UNLV is Sanford's program. His 6-29 record, including 2-10 last year, has fueled speculation about his future. Plus, his current contract runs only through the 2009 season.

Citing four close losses last season (Wisconsin, UNR, Wyoming and San Diego State), Sanford said he expected more success by now.

Anyone familiar with UNLV football knows this isn't a new story. The Rebels have only four winning seasons in the past 23 years and are on a run of four consecutive two-win seasons.

State university system chancellor Jim Rogers isn't sure a solution is in sight.

"I think Mike Sanford is a small part of the problem," Rogers said. "I think he is no part of the solution. So if Mike Sanford's talent and experience and ability to recruit went up 300 percent, I don't think it would really affect the program."

Rogers later added: "You cannot put blame on (Sanford), and I feel sorry for him because we set him up to fail."

Sanford vehemently disagrees with Rogers' assessment, adding that while he understands such opinions, his inside view of the program suggests there is movement in the correct direction.

UNLV's offense is more experienced, returning such players as tailback Frank Summers and wide receivers Ryan Wolfe and Casey Flair. The defensive line could be UNLV's strongest in years.

But plenty of questions remain about the secondary, and though depth is better, it's not to the point where the Rebels can afford many injuries.

But Sanford knows talking about improvement means little, saying, "We feel a sense of urgency to win this year."

"There's no secret, no beating around the bush," Hamrick said, "it's time to win football games."

No need to convince UNLV's seniors of the need to win now, but even younger players feel the burden.

"The coaches aren't just on the hot seat, the players are, too," Summers said. "If the coaches leave that recruited you, then (it's probable) for new coaches to come in that won't like you and bring in their own players, that are bringing in a new system. If coaches leave, I'd say a good 30 percent of the players leave as well."

Financial concerns, however, could come into play in a favorable way for Sanford and his assistants.

Neither Hamrick nor Sanford would comment on how the state's staggering economy could be a consideration, but it might give the coach a little extra time to try to get the program on better footing.

Sanford is scheduled to earn $431,000 this season, and to buy out his contract plus hire a new coach and change possibly the entire staff would cost upwards of $1 million. That might be a difficult argument to make when almost 300 UNLV faculty and staff were offered buyouts last month as part of a budget-cutting move.

It might become even more difficult to let go of a coach still under contract if the economy continues to falter, and Hamrick becomes faced with the prospect of cutting a program or two or instituting layoffs.

Considering Hamrick is among Sanford's staunchest supporters, such a scenario would provide the perfect out to keep the coach if this season doesn't go as well as those on Maryland Parkway hope.

Hamrick, a former two-year starting linebacker at Marshall, said building a successful program is a time-consuming process, and athletic directors who backed struggling coaches often are rewarded for their patience.

"My job is to support them, to give them everything we possibly can to be successful and be committed to football, and I think we have," Hamrick said. "And when the wins come, I think a lot of other things come."

Sanford signed only two junior college players out of a class of 23 during this past recruiting period. Because of stronger academic requirements placed on junior college players, Sanford believes "the days of instant turnarounds are difficult."

Robinson agreed, adding that support beyond the athletic department and university was crucial.

"What you need is a T. Boone Pickens or somebody like that," Robinson said of the billionaire oilman who in January 2006 gave $165 million to Oklahoma State's athletic department.

"Then everything starts falling into place," Robinson continued. "I don't think any coach can solve that issue by himself."

Sanford doesn't try to be a one-man show, but his name is atop the play cast, and he's not ready to leave the stage.

"I love being here," Sanford said. "I love UNLV. I love the Las Vegas community. When I took this job, I believed that it could be done he re, and I still believe that with all my heart, and I know we're going to get it done."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.