20 Questions with UNLV Coach Mike Sanford

This is the first installment of a weekly feature in which the Las Vegas Review-Journal asks 20 questions of a member of the UNLV football team.

Today's Q&A is with fifth-year coach Mike Sanford, whose Rebels open the season at 7 p.m. Saturday against Sacramento State at Sam Boyd Stadium.

1. Why did you want to go into coaching?

When I went to USC as a player and was around some of the guys I was around -- Lynn Swann and a bunch of (future) NFL players -- I realized my dream of pro football was probably unrealistic. I loved the game, and I knew I loved the technical part of the game. I also loved the opportunity to have a positive influence on young people.

2. What was it like going from a player to coaching some of these guys who were just your teammates?

Very strange. Very weird. I was a graduate assistant coach for John Robinson for one year, and that was very different. I learned a ton. I worked under Paul Hackett, who was an excellent passing-game guy.

3. What was it like to follow Robinson at UNLV?

In some ways, kind of weird because I played for him and coached for him.

4. What's it like to have your son, Mike Jr. at Yale, go into the profession?

On the one hand, really fun and great for the two years I had him here on the staff. Fun to be around him in his jobs and kind of watch him. And also I'm very proud of him. I'm very proud of the kind of man he's becoming and the kind of coach he's becoming.

5. Which coaches do you admire?

I would say the top guys that I admire as far as guys that have had a huge influence ... I've had first-hand experience with would be John Robinson and (Florida's) Urban Meyer.

John Wooden, obviously a basketball coach (at UCLA), had a big influence on me. Grant Teaff, who's now the American Football Coaches Association's executive director, had a big influence on me. (Former Colorado coach) Bill McCartney, a big influence on me. A current guy that's had a big influence on me is Jim Grobe at Wake Forest.

6. Are there any coaches you consult?

There are several, but probably the one I would mention the most would be Urban.

7. How often do you talk to Meyer?

It's a different frequency different times of the year.

8. What part of being a head coach probably would surprise the average fan?

Probably things you have to deal with that don't have anything to do with the game of football.

There are long-term things that you're always thinking of. I do a lot of calendar, a lot of detailed planning. I get involved in fundraising things, community service stuff.

These are all things that I like about the job. They're in addition to pure football.

9. What's the biggest thing that's surprised you?

I would say all the various demands on your time, and I think the overall concern of looking out for the welfare and the good and the mentality of your football team. That's probably the biggest reason I don't call plays anymore.

10. What's the hardest part of your job?

Not being able to be around my wife and my kids as much as I would've liked to as a young coach when my kids were growing up. As a head coach, the toughest thing is all the demands from all the different things that are going on.

11. What's the most enjoyable part?

The players. I love the players. I love being around the players. I love our team.

12. Do you have any superstitions or game-day routines?

I used to be real superstitious. Not anymore.

13. Do you read what's written about your team, and does it affect anything you do?

I've gotten to the point where I don't read stuff. I think it's more important how we see ourselves and how we define ourselves than how we are defined by outside influences.

14. Do you tweet or have a Facebook page?

I'm probably in that way a little bit old school. I have not succumbed to that. Even though my daughter-in-law (Anne-Marie) worked for Facebook in Palo Alto (Calif.) when my son was at Stanford, I haven't given in.

15. What books did you read this summer?

I read the Bible every day. I read, and loved the book (Ohio State coach) Jim Tressel's "The Winners Manual."

16. What's your favorite vacation spot?

Hawaii.

17. Which place have you not visited would you most want to see?

I'd love to go to the Holy Land, specifically Israel and Jerusalem.

18. What's your favorite local restaurant?

The Palm in the (Forum) Shops at Caesars Palace.

19. Other than football, what's your favorite sport?

UNLV basketball.

20. Any favorite TV shows?

"24."