Assistant football coach urged to resign after arrest
Saying it was important to put the interests of the football program and athletic department first, UNLV athletic director Jim Livengood told assistant football coach Ty Gregorak on Tuesday to resign or his contract won’t be renewed when it expires June 30.
Gregorak was accused by police in Boulder, Colo., of stealing a .45-caliber gun and wallet from the car belonging to a strip-club bouncer on May 1. Formal charges are expected to be announced in a hearing Thursday in Boulder.
Livengood said Gregorak, the Rebels’ recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach, used "horrible judgment" and placed himself in "an unacceptable environment."
"As much as I’d like to see a different outcome, that can’t be my responsibility," Livengood said in explaining his decision.
Livengood said he suspected Gregorak will let the contract expire.
"You’re only talking six weeks," Livengood said. "It would be a different situation if it was a month ago or two months ago, and he clearly understands he won’t be renewed. I wanted him to have the option if he wanted to resign, he could."
Attempts to reach Gregorak and coach Bobby Hauck were unsuccessful. Gregorak, 31, coached under Hauck for seven seasons at Montana before following him to UNLV.
"Bobby is a Greg fan," Livengood said. "But Bobby understands the football program and athletic program are more important than what an individual does."
Gregorak was on a personal trip to Boulder when he allegedly took a gun and wallet from a bouncer’s car. The bouncer, Joseph Benedetto, told police he had denied Gregorak entry into a strip club because he said Gregorak was drunk.
Gregorak told police he woke up later that morning and saw the items, but didn’t know how they got there and didn’t remember talking to the bouncer, but quickly returned the gun and wallet to Benedetto.
Boulder police recommended charges of first-degree criminal trespass and prohibited use of weapons, but it will be up to prosecutors on what formal charges to file.
"I have absolutely no knowledge if this is true, but it wouldn’t shock me if all charges were dropped," Livengood said. "But that can’t be the point in this. I feel horrible because Ty’s a good young man and a good young coach, but we have a responsibility to the integrity of the program and perception of our program."
Livengood said a conviction in March for driving under the influence in Minnesota did not factor into his decision. Gregorak was cited in July, and was fined $380 and sentenced to a one-year probation. His Montana driver’s license also was revoked.
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.