State of Rebels’ program irritates longtime backers

In the 25 years since that team finished 11-2, UNLV’s program has consistently struggled. The Rebels haven’t had a winning season and bowl appearance since 2000.

Amid calls for coach Mike Sanford’s firing after blowout losses to UNR and Brigham Young, the Rebels (2-4, 0-2 Mountain West Conference) are 161/2-point underdogs for Saturday’s 7 p.m. game against No. 24 Utah (4-1, 1-0).

Four longtime supporters of the Rebels this week shared their opinions on what can be done to repair the program.

THE FORMER REGENT

When Steve Sisolak was a state regent, he observed that UNLV’s $6 million football budget compared favorably to other MWC schools. So he knows the program’s stagnation isn’t because of financial inequity.

"I don’t know what they can do," said Sisolak, now a Clark County commissioner. "I don’t think you can blame Sanford totally. There are a lot of people in the program."

All Sisolak knows is he’s tired of the blowout losses like the ones to UNR (63-28) and Brigham Young (59-21).

"You want to support the team, but there’s a general sense of frustration because it’s not improving," Sisolak said. "You could understand if there was a little improvement as we went on, but we’re not seeing the wins. I don’t understand how we can get this far along and not be competitive."

THE FORMER CHANCELLOR

Jim Rogers, who retired in June after five years as the state system chancellor, sees Sanford’s dismissal as certain and said UNLV shouldn’t pinch pennies on a replacement.

Rogers said the next coach should have head coaching experience and the university should offer a contract worth at least a $1 million a year. Sanford, previously a career assistant, makes $425,000 and is 13-40 through 41/2 seasons.

"We saved half a million dollars on Mike, and nobody got anything out of the savings," Rogers said. "If you want to play ball, you’ve got to put up the money."

But what if UNLV doesn’t have the money?

"They can get the money," Rogers insisted. "This money doesn’t come from coffers at the school. They can get the money from private donors."

THE FORMER PLAYER

Bob Stockham said he believes in Sanford and claims the program is better than when he was the quarterback in 1993.

Stockham said that team never had a chance because of turmoil during coach Jim Strong’s final season, and it caused lasting repercussions. He said he sent a supportive e-mail to Sanford last week.

"Mike is a good football coach," said Stockham, a sign-maker who is helping to revive the Rebel Football Foundation. "It’s unfortunate we haven’t won many games. But the year is not over yet."

THE FORMER CANDIDATE

Dick Geyer, the Libertarian candidate for Nevada governor in 2002, remembers his last brief talk with former coach John Robinson in 2004. He asked Robinson if UNLV could attract elite players, and the coach’s response was "no."

Geyer thinks the Rebels are out of their league and should move to the weaker Western Athletic Conference. He pointed to Jeff Sagarin’s ratings, which rank UNLV No. 115, behind some lower-level schools.

"I think it’s time for something drastic," Geyer wrote in an e-mail.

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