Former Rebels star Theus campaigns for UNLV job

One of the greatest players in the program’s history spent Thursday making his case to follow Lon Kruger as the Rebels’ coach.

Theus, an NBA assistant for the Minnesota Timberwolves, flew to Las Vegas in the morning and met for most of the afternoon with UNLV president Neal Smatresk, athletic director Jim Livengood and members of the Board of Regents.

“I have no idea what they’re going to do,” Theus said. “I really don’t know.

“I thought it was a good meeting. I thought it was positive. We covered a lot of different things. I answered everything we talked about truthfully and with enthusiasm.”

Livengood started the coaching search a week ago when Kruger abruptly left UNLV after seven seasons to sign a seven-year contract with Oklahoma worth $2.2 million per year.

Theus first received a call from Livengood on Sunday night, more than 48 hours after Kruger’s departure.

Livengood announced four finalists for the position Tuesday, and former UNLV player Dave Rice and St. John’s assistant Mike Dunlap were the first two candidates to interview Wednesday.

Rice, Brigham Young’s associate head coach, has been considered the leading candidate to land the job, according to several sources. But public support for Rice and Theus seems split.

Theus starred for the Rebels from 1975 to 1978 and was a leader on the program’s first Final Four team in 1977. His former coach, Jerry Tarkanian, said last week it would be a “joke” if Theus was not chosen.

“I think Reggie would do a great job. He would be a great recruiter. I’ve talked to him a lot about basketball,” Tarkanian said Thursday.

Theus, who had a 13-year playing career in the NBA, was head coach of the Sacramento Kings for most of the 2007-08 season. He was also head coach at New Mexico State and was an assistant to Rick Pitino at Louisville.

Livengood did not return messages Thursday, when he also interviewed Ernie Kent late into the evening.

Kent was Oregon’s head coach for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2010. Dunlap was formerly associate head coach at Arizona (2008-09) and Oregon (2009-10). Kent and Dunlap are considered long shots to be hired.

Livengood is being persuaded to land a coach with UNLV ties. Rice was a reserve on the Rebels’ 1990 NCAA championship team and 1991 Final Four team.

Rice was an assistant at UNLV for 11 seasons but was not retained by Kruger in 2004. Rice joined the BYU staff in May 2005 and has coordinated the Cougars’ offense and recruiting.

Livengood has said he hopes to reach a decision by the weekend.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.