Here.We.Go..

[Bullmastiff 1]

Some would argue that Robinson worked, at least to a degree, and moreso than anybody at UNLV. Seasoned vet, he only went half speed. Some say experience doesn’t matter. I think it does, especially with football. It’s a huge department and it’s contaminated. Rookies dodging landmines? Very tough. A veteran? Much better chance. Just because of experience, know how....

Would Robinson have been much better with the facilities? I think so... he attracted talent and lineman size on name/reputation alone, imagine being able to get some extra depth in here.

The guy may fail, he may succeed. Let’s call a .500 career the make or break line. I’d say that for anybody without HC experience, odds are heavily in favor of failure.

Remember, we still have extreme weakness at the top. She will try and bedazzle people with this one and sell it, but she missed out on her targets, again. At least she didn’t offer Poser Morton this job - or maybe she did?

I firmly believe that we need some strength up top.

I'm not arguing her ability or lack of.

My point is people keep saying we've been down this road.

Yeah, kinda, but nobody had the facility before.

So either it will make a difference or it doesn't.

I don't know if this guy will work.

I liked Scalley. Not sure he was the answer either.

But knowing that UNLV doesn't have money and is still viewed as a risky job, I figure these are the best type of candidates we could hope for.

Names get floated out there on social media..'Butch Jones interested in job' Ok cool. How interested? Was it just an agent calling to see what type of money was available? That stuff builds steam. Next thing you know a guy like Arroyo gets hired. What's the response?

'W T F! We could have had Butch Jones!'

When in fact he was never really in play..

Sorry tangent...

 

[dcut03]

Experienced head coaches have their issues too. Because the ones we could get are either at lower levels or have failed.
J Rob made me a UNLV football fan. He was there when I was a student there. Before I was pretty much a basketball only fan.
He was also a HOF type of coach. Not many of those available. Even so, the game was passing him by especially towards the end
It's hard to find an equivalent. June Jones maybe? Yeesh.
Sure UNLV has obstacles. Many of the material problems are getting better. Facilities and to some degree money.
Other teams in our conference have had good success going with these types of hires.
It's a risk that's for sure. But would any coach we can actually get.

 

[RedCannon]

This job is a monumental task for anybody.

Agreed, but far less so due to the effort of the last staff.

 

[rebel5280]

Is it?

Based on what?

Sure experience is important. Nobody argues that.

Give me a coach that rebuilt a similiar program to UNLV and I'm on board.

Jay Hill? I'm down. But if Weber State beats Montana this weekend that's another week gone bye-bye with early signing period looming.

Todd Graham. Hell yes, if you can win at Rice you can win anywhere. Did he want the job though?

You're acting like people are knocking down the door to come here.

As big of a deal as the facility is to the program all it did was elevate us to an equal playing field with schools like Boise, Wyoming and CSU that already had great facilities.

I'm interested in seeing the list of guys with a track record of rebuilding programs currently available or that UNLV can afford or that would be interested.

You don't know what is going on behind the scenes anymore than anyone else.
You don't know who has been contacted or had interest in UNLV so quit acting like you do!

I don't need to list anything or prove anything to you, who do think you are?!

This is a message board and we don't agree on this and I am okay with that but you keep puking sunshine though!

 

[j. spilotro]

I'm not arguing her ability or lack of.

My point is people keep saying we've been down this road.

Yeah, kinda, but nobody had the facility before.

So either it will make a difference or it doesn't.

I don't know if this guy will work.

I liked Scalley. Not sure he was the answer either.

But knowing that UNLV doesn't have money and is still viewed as a risky job, I figure these are the best type of candidates we could hope for.

Names get floated out there on social media..'Butch Jones interested in job' Ok cool. How interested? Was it just an agent calling to see what type of money was available? That stuff builds steam. Next thing you know a guy like Arroyo gets hired. What's the response?

'W T F! We could have had Butch Jones!'

When in fact he was never really in play..

Sorry tangent...

Butch was a name I never heard from the start, at least a month ago.

Most of the rest I’d heard have been brought. A pipe dream or two that just want going to happen.

I know there’s certainly not enough info. Don’t hem and haw. Your gut feel based on all the things you know. A career above 500 or under 500 coach if it’s Arroyo. Don’t worry, I’m not going to hold you to it. Just asking for an honest to God gut feeling at this very point. No “if’s” … what does your gut say, right now. No hedging.

I’ll freely admit mine. Sub 500. But the coach doesn’t matter, I’d say that unless we had what I consider a home run hire.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

You don't know what is going on behind the scenes anymore than anyone else.
You don't know who has been contacted or had interest in UNLV so quit acting like you do!

I don't need to list anything or prove anything to you, who do think you are?!

This is a message board and we don't agree on this and I am okay with that but you keep puking sunshine though!

I never said I did.

I asked you, if you knew that they were interested.

Was Butch Jones ever interested in the job?

If he truly was, mistake not to get that guy.

If you are going to complain about a hire, what are the alternatives you would suggest? Who do you think is available that would work out? Or could turn it around and why?

We might even agree..

But we don't know one way or another. You are acting like people are knocking down the door to get this job.

I've followed UNLV long enough and know enough people around the program to know what is realistic and what is not.

How am I puking sunshine? I don't know if Arroyo will work out or not.

All along I said who I thought were realistic candidates for the job, and of those realistic candidates who I liked. Doesn't mean I think or thought they were the best option out there. They were the best options available to UNLV based on what UNLV could likely afford.

 

[j. spilotro]

I never said I did.

I asked you, if you knew that they were interested.

Was Butch Jones ever interested in the job?

If he truly was, mistake not to get that guy.

But we don't know one way or another. You are acting like people are knocking down the door to get this job.

I've followed UNLV long enough and know enough people around the program to know what is realistic and what is not.

I don’t think he was … I swear, that name hadn’t been mentioned to me before.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

Butch was a name I never heard from the start, at least a month ago.

Most of the rest I’d heard have been brought. A pipe dream or two that just want going to happen.

I know there’s certainly not enough info. Don’t hem and haw. Your gut feel based on all the things you know. A career above 500 or under 500 coach if it’s Arroyo. Don’t worry, I’m not going to hold you to it. Just asking for an honest to God gut feeling at this very point. No “if’s” … what does your gut say, right now. No hedging.

I’ll freely admit mine. Sub 500. But the coach doesn’t matter, I’d say that unless we had what I consider a home run hire.

You know a home run hire was unlikely.

I'd like to see the staff before making a way to early prediction. But feet to fire, slightly over .500. I have to imagine the facility has a positive impact on recruiting, Arroyo is considered a good recruiter. That has to amount for something. Staff will be important though.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

I don’t think he was … I swear, that name hadn’t been mentioned to me before.

Right.

My point is, people see names floated online, then latch onto it like it's gospel.

You know better than I do. We talked some. There was some cursory interest from a few people but not much beyond that.

So that leaves you guys like Scalley and Arroyo.

A lot of noise of Mora having major interest in the job.

Beyond him?

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

I don’t think he was … I swear, that name hadn’t been mentioned to me before.

It was on social media and other outlets. Wasn't saying you.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

Mam I hope this is a mistake!

This is a list of CSU's top candidates. Of those guys who do you like, aside from Butch Jones?

Honestly curious...

Not being snarky.

Besides Jones, would you be happy with any of those guys?

 

[Rebelious1]

Some.

Others no.

They were 15th in scoring and 27th in total offense.

I'd like to be a program good enough to complain about that.

This more than likely will not translate to UNLV, we are a completely different animal than Oregon.

I remember hearing the same thing when Mike Sanford was hired and we all know how that turned out.

How do you know it won't translate? Oregon's leading receiver was committed to UNLV at one point.

It's not like he has to beat 6 PAC 12 schools every year to go to a bowl here. Just beat some MWC schools.

 

[rebel5280]

I never said I did.

I asked you, if you knew that they were interested.

Was Butch Jones ever interested in the job?

If he truly was, mistake not to get that guy.

If you are going to complain about a hire, what are the alternatives you would suggest? Who do you think is available that would work out? Or could turn it around and why?

We might even agree..

But we don't know one way or another. You are acting like people are knocking down the door to get this job.

I've followed UNLV long enough and know enough people around the program to know what is realistic and what is not.

How am I puking sunshine? I don't know if Arroyo will work out or not.

All along I said who I thought were realistic candidates for the job, and of those realistic candidates who I liked. Doesn't mean I think or thought they were the best option out there. They were the best options available to UNLV based on what UNLV could likely afford.

You know who I listed and discussed ad nauseum. I don't have any pull or inside info.. but I have listed the HC candidates I thought were reasonable here over and over. I don't know if any of them were discussed, contacted or never contacted but I have been adamant about not going the coordinator route again.

It appears the coordinator route was the way those in charge wanted to go so here we are.

 

[rebel5280]

How do you know it won't translate? Oregon's leading receiver was committed to UNLV at one point.

It's not like he has to beat 6 PAC 12 schools every year to go to a bowl here. Just beat some MWC schools.

The hope that his success will transfer is the same thing we heard 15 years ago with Sanford when he was at the feet of Urban Meyer. It didn't then and I don't believe this time will be different. We all have opinions and if I am wrong I will gladly say that when and if but I am not optimistic about this hire.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

You know who I listed and discussed ad nauseum. I don't have any pull or inside info.. but I have listed the HC candidates I thought were reasonable here over and over. I don't know if any of them were discussed, contacted or never contacted but I have been adamant about not going the coordinator route again.

It appears the coordinator route was the way those in charge wanted to go so here we are.

I recognize that.

If there was interest from a few guys you listed, it would have been a mistake if it was ignored.

I don't know that there was though.

So you are left with going the Scalley/Arroyo route.

I'm not/wasn't opposed to all the people you listed. I just didn't think some were viable based on what UNLV could or was willing to pay.

Others I didn't think would be interested.

I listed guys like Gonzales and Scalley because whether I wanted Butch Jones, or somebody else, those were the best of guys I thought UNLV could actually get.

 

[unlv7163]

One important thing to remember regarding John Robinson is that he was/is a coaching legend. I believe he would have had the same success he had here anywhere he wanted to go. Assistant coaches wanted to learn from him and good players wanted to play for him. Recruiting, fundraising, ticket sales, etc were all easy (relatively).

I believe that is vastly different than a HC that was fired elsewhere. They wouldn’t have the inherent advantages JRob had. Certainly HC experience would be helpful for a job like this. One thing I actually did like about Mora, is UCLA is similar to UNLV (on P5 scale) in that funding, administration support, booster support etc regarding football is severely lacking compared to the top schools in the PAC

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

The hope that his success will transfer is the same thing we heard 15 years ago with Sanford when he was at the feet of Urban Meyer. It didn't then and I don't believe this time will be different. We all have opinions and if I am wrong I will gladly say that when and if but I am not optimistic about this hire.

Do you think the facility possibly gives a guy like Arroyo the boost Sanford needed but didn't have back then?

(Asking conversationally)

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

One important thing to remember regarding John Robinson is that he was/is a coaching legend. I believe he would have had the same success he had here anywhere he wanted to go. Assistant coaches wanted to learn from him and good players wanted to play for him. Recruiting, fundraising, ticket sales, etc were all easy (relatively).

I believe that is vastly different than a HC that was fired elsewhere. They wouldn’t have the inherent advantages JRob had. Certainly HC experience would be helpful for a job like this. One thing I actually did like about Mora, is UCLA is similar to UNLV (on P5 scale) in that funding, administration support, booster support etc regarding football is severely lacking compared to the top schools in the PAC

True on Mora and UCLA and budgeting.

Flip side, when the roster flipped to 'his guys' is when the slide started.

I'm not seeing his name attached to any other jobs. (It might be, just haven't seen it).

That kinda makes me wonder why?

 

[VegasRebMan]

You know a home run hire was unlikely.

I'd like to see the staff before making a way to early prediction. But feet to fire, slightly over .500. I have to imagine the facility has a positive impact on recruiting, Arroyo is considered a good recruiter. That has to amount for something. Staff will be important though.

I agree! Being a good recruiter is the most important aspect to building a Program. I've seen very nice reviews of Arroyo's recruiting ability. Probably a good hire for the long-term.

 

[Rebel2k3 2.0]

I love the fact that you people hate this hire, mean while everyone was cool with hiring a fu**king HIGH SCHOOL coach.
Lmao. You people slay me

 

[unlv7163]

True on Mora and UCLA and budgeting.

Flip side, when the roster flipped to 'his guys' is when the slide started.

I'm not seeing his name attached to any other jobs. (It might be, just haven't seen it).

That kinda makes me wonder why?

Mora has quite a few negatives and he wouldn’t be my 1st choice. But I think THAT particular experience of the UCLA job would help him here should he get the job.
As to why he isn’t mentioned with other openings? it could be a variety of reasons. Retreads generally don’t garner enthusiasm, that coupled with only moderate success would be a start.

 

[unlv7163]

I love the fact that you people hate this hire, mean while everyone was cool with hiring a fu**king HIGH SCHOOL coach.
Lmao. You people slay me

I don’t think anyone was cool with him being the HC. I think everyone, myself included, thought it necessary though to upgrade the facilities which was much more important for long term success. Was kind of unfortunate timing seeing that Jim Fassel reportedly wanted the job.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

Mora has quite a few negatives and he wouldn’t be my 1st choice. But I think THAT particular experience of the UCLA job would help him here should he get the job.
As to why he isn’t mentioned with other openings? it could be a variety of reasons. Retreads generally don’t garner enthusiasm, that coupled with only moderate success would be a start.

That's fair. He's also rumored to be a difficult guy to deal with. Rubs a lot of folks the wrong way.

Maybe a few years in the booth gave him new/better perspective? Possible.

It's sounding more and more like it is Arroyo, so this all may be mute anyway...

 

[ricovegas]

If Marcus Arroyo is the new guy I have no problem. I'm in my 50's now I came in under Wayne Nunnley I really thought Jim Strong was going to be successful, Sanford as well, coming from strong programs under great head coaches like Lou Holtz and Urban Meyer it seemed logical. I do not have the knowledge of what goes on behind closed doors like many of the posters but, the image I get is the Athletic Department, President, AD, and extended staff are all incompetent and maybe worse saboteurs perhaps that was the problem.
I just looked up his resume and what got my attention was his playing experience.

Arroyo was the starting quarterback for the San Jose Spartans between 1998 and 2002. He set many school records for passing, some of which are still unsurpassed. To this day, Arroyo ranks eighth in passing yards (4,603), ninth in completions (348) and total offense (4,525 yards), and tenth in passing efficiency (115.6). He still holds the school records for single-game passing efficiency and average yards per completion. Arroyo played in the NCAA Division I record setting game against Nevada in 2001, where he threw five touchdowns and the teams put up the score 64-45, which set the record for most total offense in a single game [1].

Randall, Jason, Caleb that's it. Tony S. never developed a qb if Arroyo can develop anyone as close to efficient as I saw Herbert play against Utah I'm in.
I like ex Quarterbacks as coaches I like the resume, the recruiting and his stint in the NFL should help we were trying to be a poor man's Oregon with our uniforms hopefully he'll complete the transition.

 

[Rebel1986]

I have followed UNLV long enough to know that nothing has worked since the early 80's. Going after a top level OC with the ability to recruit is a step up from anything I have seen at UNLV over the last 30 years, if it doesn't face facts that nothing will work. UNLV has gone the route of an offensive coach, defensive coach, coaches with experience, coaches with lower division experience, a high school coach, etc.... The most important thing now will be if UNLV is willing to come up with the money to put together a staff that can do the job. Robinson had 1 winning record in 6 season and only won 2 games in his final season and may have been a better coach if he had the right staff, but we will never know.

 

[Buffel]

As bad as he was Sanchez had a chance to have a few good seasons but liost games he should have won. If he had a chance with his caliber of recruits a better coached team will win the games Sanchez lost. We shod be able to make a bowl with a half we decent coach.

 

[dcut03]

The Sanford comparison is somewhat fair, but the difference is that Sanford didn't really establish himself much outside of Urban's shadow. When he was hired it was billed that the innovative and successful offense was created by both coaches. But history may tell us that may have been an exaggeration. He did pretty well as an OC at Utah State later, but his impact there with and without him was somewhat unremarkable.

I still like Scalley, but it's kind of the same thing with Whittingham, a defensive minded coach. Utah obviously thinks highly of him, but there is a certain skepticism of a coordinator that works for a HC that is considered a specialist on the same side of the ball.

At least Arroyo has done it at multiple spots. He was also hired on at Oregon, one of the top programs in the country known for their offense. Sure their offense didn't start that smoothly, but it sure looks good now. Makes sense given changing of philosophies
.

 

[rebel5280]

The Sanford comparison is somewhat fair, but the difference is that Sanford didn't really establish himself much outside of Urban's shadow. When he was hired it was billed that the innovative and successful offense was created by both coaches. But history may tell us that may have been an exaggeration. He did pretty well as an OC at Utah State later, but his impact there with and without him was somewhat unremarkable.

I still like Scalley, but it's kind of the same thing with Whittingham, a defensive minded coach. Utah obviously thinks highly of him, but there is a certain skepticism of a coordinator that works for a HC that is considered a specialist on the same side of the ball.

At least Arroyo has done it at multiple spots. He was also hired on at Oregon, one of the top programs in the country known for their offense. Sure their offense didn't start that smoothly, but it sure looks good now. Makes sense given changing of philosophies
.

The Sanford at Utah St. is not our old coach..

 

[LocoRebel]

The Sanford at Utah St. is not our old coach..

Bingo. Jr (who is at Utah State) was a GA under Sr. at UNLV in 05/06. Jr has bounced around as OC at places including Yale, W Kentucky, Stanford, Boise State, among others.

Sr. was Utah OC for a couple years before UNLV took him as HC. Since then he was on staff for a season at Louisville and Utah Statem then most notably HC at Indiana St where he was 18-30.

 

[Gator 82]

Here's an article with a pretty fair assessment of Arroyo both positive and negative.

https://autzenzoo.com/2019/12/09/oregon-football-marcus-arroyos-potential-departure-bad/

 

[dcut03]

The Sanford at Utah St. is not our old coach..

He was the assistant head coach there in 2012. Look it up.

No one noticed, which was kind of my point altogether.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

The Sanford at Utah St. is not our old coach..

Sr was the AHC, TE and RB coach at Utah State in 2012.

 

[Rebel_Luv]

Here's an article with a pretty fair assessment of Arroyo both positive and negative.

https://autzenzoo.com/2019/12/09/oregon-football-marcus-arroyos-potential-departure-bad/

too many check marks and we dont get him. On the surface if looks to be too good to be true and we have no shot. Some power 5 will throw atleast 1 mill more.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

too many check marks and we dont get him. On the surface if looks to be too good to be true and we have no shot. Some power 5 will throw atleast 1 mill more.

It's crazy how all over the map peoples opinions are on this hire.

(No shot at you here, just an observation)

 

[RebNReno]

Everyone likes to talk about the Oregon offensive numbers (with a 1st round QB and an NFL O-Line) but what about the rest of his experience. When he had G5 level talent how did he do?

When he was the OC at SJSU, Wyoming, and Southern Miss the offenses were all bad- maybe mediocre at best. Sure, if he's bringing all 3-4 star talent here to UNLV I'll like this hire a lot more but I honestly expected more with the new facilities. Maybe DRF struck out with everyone else but I can't imagine he was a top target a month ago when she fired Tony.

 

[j. spilotro]

Everyone likes to talk about the Oregon offensive numbers (with a 1st round QB and an NFL O-Line) but what about the rest of his experience. When he had G5 level talent how did he do?

When he was the OC at SJSU, Wyoming, and Southern Miss the offenses were all bad- maybe mediocre at best. Sure, if he's bringing all 3-4 star talent here to UNLV I'll like this hire a lot more but I honestly expected more with the new facilities. Maybe DRF struck out with everyone else but I can't imagine he was a top target a month ago when she fired Tony.

It’ll be Arroyo and no, he wasn’t a top target but he at least was on initial lists, so it’s not like they struck out and scrambled and came up with any old name that they didn’t know about months ago. That doesn’t mean it’ll work or fail....

 

[Rebel_Luv]

It's crazy how all over the map peoples opinions are on this hire.

(No shot at you here, just an observation)

All I am saying that this looks like a good hire! No way we land a great hire. Too many schools have way more $$. We will know shortly with recuiting and how he keeps the recuiting class and current players he can keep.

 

[rebel5280]

He was the assistant head coach there in 2012. Look it up.

No one noticed, which was kind of my point altogether.

Relax! I thought you meant now not back in 2012.

 

[j. spilotro]

All I am saying that this looks like a good hire! No way we land a great hire. Too many schools have way more $$. We will know shortly with recuiting and how he keeps the recuiting class and current players he can keep.

Could turn out to be a great hire, I don’t know.

I see things like this. UNLV has dug such an incredible hole with football and now it’s done the same with basketball. The most ideal way to get out of those self dig holes is money. UNLV is short of that and the State isn’t bailing our irresponsible asses out. So UNLV doesn’t have a lot of cash. Either find it, get it, and spend it on less risky hires where the competition for their services is hot.

Or, you do as you’ve been doing. You do it on the cheap, you cross your fingers and hope. That’s where we are. Both sports. That we are in this position is ON UNLV. Do your jobs, find the money, get creative, network, sell, do what you got to do, it’s what you are paid to do.

This is why I prefer “names”. The hole is so damn deep. Names don’t guarantee but the certainly reduce the risk. I didn’t have a favorite for the football hire, there were a couple I didn’t like at all in a Menzies sort of way (dead on arrival hires), but that’s not going to happen. I’m cool with Arroyo since we can’t get a big name.

Blind faith isn’t my strong suit, best I can do with that is go into wait and see mode. Others live by blind faith, I just don’t have it in me ... not when there is a crystal clear, unyielding set of data that states UNLV gets it wrong. And though that tends to be my deep belief with these hires, I’m not going to succumb to it, instead opting for “wait and see”. But nobody can tell me this is going to be a great hire or a crap hire. It’s a relatively uninspiring hire that may pay dividends. It may fail. But still, out of the gate, relatively uninspiring.

 

[bcvegaspt]

Is this for sure?

No announcement is sounding to me like Cronin again.