Why hire Mullen?

[Bullmastiff 1]

I keep going back to this thought.

Why would UNLV not only hire Dan Mullen, but also make him the highest paid G5 HC when there were cheaper options available? (I'm not complaining). Also the Liberty coach actually makes more buts that's a religious school with lots of the Lord's money.

3.5 million per is a lot of cheddar. Especially for a G5 school.

Obviously UNLV wanted to keep the momentum going after Odom. But they could have easily hired ny one of the following guys and for the most part nobody would have thought 'Unlv is back to not being committed to winning'.

Bryan Harsin, Neal Brown, Jim Mora Jr, Nick Rolovich..All probably could have been had for close to what Odom was getting maybe a little more. UNLV could have easily saved 1.5 million per year. None of these would be as exciting as Mullen obviously, but they wouldn't have been viewed as bad hires either.

UNLV could have handed the reigns to Marion (I know I know) and could have easily sold it as trying to keep continuity, recruits etc. Outside of Vegas I think most would have seen it as a sensible hire.

So again, why Mullen at a really steep salary, especially knowing what the MWC will look like in two years?



I've been 'I'll believe it when I see it' about UNLV joining a P4 conference. But the Mullen hire, NIL investment really makes me wonder.

In fact the addition of Arnett is also a really interesting one. His track record as a DC is good. But he also has HC experience. (Oddly enough at the same school that Mullen began his HC career. That's two guys on staff with SEC HC on their resume.

 

[Meister_Rebel]

It's just nice to have that administration support all the way to the top. Unlike the days when you would hire and FCS or HS coach. This administration is committed to football. Those are the guys I thank. Those are the guys that have the vision to see us through getting into a P4 conference. If we ever do it's because of them.

 

[unlove]

Great question @Bullmastiff 1 and the answer leads to the conclusion implied by your question. It’s P4 or bust for UNLV. It’s also fair to conclude that it’s been clearly messaged to UNLV that it needs to walk the walk if it wants an invite and UNLV has not flinched but actually made an even more impressive statement with the hire and investments. It may also imply that those in the resort corridor finally realized that UNLV being in a P4 would be good for their wallets as well and have encouraged/supported the stepped up investment. Your question rightly points out that UNLV did not need to go bigger but for attracting a P4 invite. It is indeed a good time to be Rebel football fans. We should be supportive of the administration to this point and if there ever was a time to put our money where our mouths are, now would be that time.

 

[Masked_rebel]

I keep going back to this thought.

Why would UNLV not only hire Dan Mullen, but also make him the highest paid G5 HC when there were cheaper options available? (I'm not complaining). Also the Liberty coach actually makes more buts that's a religious school with lots of the Lord's money.

3.5 million per is a lot of cheddar. Especially for a G5 school.

Obviously UNLV wanted to keep the momentum going after Odom. But they could have easily hired ny one of the following guys and for the most part nobody would have thought 'Unlv is back to not being committed to winning'.

Bryan Harsin, Neal Brown, Jim Mora Jr, Nick Rolovich..All probably could have been had for close to what Odom was getting maybe a little more. UNLV could have easily saved 1.5 million per year. None of these would be as exciting as Mullen obviously, but they wouldn't have been viewed as bad hires either.

UNLV could have handed the reigns to Marion (I know I know) and could have easily sold it as trying to keep continuity, recruits etc. Outside of Vegas I think most would have seen it as a sensible hire.

So again, why Mullen at a really steep salary, especially knowing what the MWC will look like in two years?



I've been 'I'll believe it when I see it' about UNLV joining a P4 conference. But the Mullen hire, NIL investment really makes me wonder.

In fact the addition of Arnett is also a really interesting one. His track record as a DC is good. But he also has HC experience. (Oddly enough at the same school that Mullen began his HC career. That's two guys on staff with SEC HC on their resume.

Short answer- UNLV finally understands that football and football alone is the future for financial relevance.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

Short answer- UNLV finally understands that football and football alone is the future for financial relevance.

It appears that way for sure.

But to the greater point..If we had landed Harsin for 2 million per year I don't think anybody would have been upset. I mean sure there would be the typical concerns people might raise (warranted or not) like he hadn't coached in two years, was he simply a by product of the Boise juggernaut etc.

UNLV has to spend 3.5 million per for Mullen. They could have spent nearly half that and landed any number of solid candidates and nobody would have thought 'oh no here we go again'.

Let's say it was Harsin, I think the expectations would be nearly the same (pre portal departures and portal additions). We landed a good coach that can have us contending for conference titles. Hell even Mora wouldn't have been viewed as a 'bad' hire considering what he's done at UCONN. (Maybe not overly popular but definitely not a wave the white flag hire).

I don't know, just makes you wonder if there is more behind it.

 

[RebelinWA]

Three possibilities in my mind:

1. We’re waiting in the wings for something BIG.

2. We’re making an argument for why we should be waiting in the wings for something BIG.

3. We’ve got nothing, but Harper knocked a home run and hired the best coach he could in his budget.

Harper is sharp. He’s never given me the impression that he’s just flying by the seat of his pants and just trying to figure out in the moment.

 

[Gator 82]

I never look a gift horse in the mouth.

 

[UNLVINMD]

It's called commitment and all in football. Now you make a commitment to basketball the money in attendance will cover both sports. It long term planning that could pay off with in 5 years or less.

 

[j. spilotro]

IMO, odds are high of immediate success; the kind we’ve had, maybe a little better …. But we will continue to be relevant, in national conversations, a darling.

For two years.

He’s reinvented, reinvigorated, Mullen goes high P5, we get decent buyout money.

And we will need to make a good hire; again. But if that happens, we should be on the brink of big conference breakthrough. And we should get a hungry, great hire ….

It’s a process. We are becoming like early stages Boise, but with more to play for (bigger conference).

I don’t see anything wrong with that. Two years ago we were hopeful we could beat Reno and get to 4 wins.

 

[TimothyC3]

John Saccenti is why. He was the Executive Director for the Las Vegas Bowl and now is the Chairman for all 17 Bowl Games on and owned by ESPN. Also, he was responsible for the Big 12 holding its football media day at Allegiant this past summer. He has significant influence at ESPN and is a UNLV alum.

 

[TimothyC3]

LAS VEGAS BOWL’S SACCENTI TAKES OVER AS BOWL SEASON CHAIR​

Posted June 3, 2024 | lasvegasbowl

LAS VEGAS – Longtime SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl executive director John Saccenti has been elevated to chair of the Bowl Season executive committee as part of his ongoing leadership roles with the organization formerly known as the Football Bowl Association.

Saccenti (pronounced sah-SENT-ee), who is in his third decade with the Las Vegas Bowl and 11h year as executive director, was Bowl Season vice chair last year after serving as treasurer in 2022. He was the committee’s secretary in 2021 and headed the group’s public relations committee in the past.

Bowl Season serves as the collective association of every college football bowl game. The organization serves its membership by focusing on communication and advocacy with the stakeholders in college football; creating operational efficiencies by expanding business relationships; forming strategic partnerships and enhancing professional development opportunities; and revenue generation through corporate partnerships and the creation and development of new assets.

“I am honored to represent our game and the city of Las Vegas by taking the chair role of Bowl Season,” said Saccenti. “The sport of college football is currently going through unprecedented change and our group is excited to ensure that bowl games continue to be an unforgettable element in the experience of student-athletes, coaches and their fan bases while also serving their host communities.”

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Saccenti (pronounced sah-SENT-ee) moved to Nevada in 1993 after graduating high school in Red Bank, New Jersey. He attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and earned his bachelor’s degree in communications in 1998. Saccenti began his professional career in marketing in 1994 with the local minor league baseball team (AAA Las Vegas Stars) and hockey team (IHL Las Vegas Thunder). In 2000, he became marketing manager for the XFL’s Las Vegas Outlaws professional football franchise. Saccenti joined ESPN Regional Television, a subsidiary of ESPN, (now ESPN Events) in 2001 and worked as an account executive on university projects at UNLV for four years in addition to the Las Vegas Bowl.

The SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl is one of 17 bowl games owned and operated by ESPN.

Follow the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on social media:

 

[TimothyC3]

Also, the Big 12 media deal is with ESPN and Fox. When the Big 12 media deal is up and there is talk of expansion UNLV will have an alum and influential exec with ESPN at the table.

 

[TimothyC3]

One more point. Do you think it was a coincidence that Las Vegas is hosting the 2027 CFP Championship at Allegiant in 2027? ESPN owns the media rights for the CFP.. The decision was made very quickly.

 

[Masked_rebel]

Also, the Big 12 media deal is with ESPN and Fox. When the Big 12 media deal is up and there is talk of expansion UNLV will have an alum and influential exec with ESPN at the table.

Actually more relevant will be when they start trying to organize the "Superleague" we have a alumni with a ton of influence... not just an AD with connections but a TV executive whose network is probably going to be at forefront of that conversation

 

[TimothyC3]

Actually more relevant will be when they start trying to organize the "Superleague" we have a alumni with a ton of influence... not just an AD with connections but a TV executive whose network is probably going to be at forefront of that conversation

💯

 

[RebelinWA]

Also, the Big 12 media deal is with ESPN and Fox. When the Big 12 media deal is up and there is talk of expansion UNLV will have an alum and influential exec with ESPN at the table.

Another point, the MW is currently under contract with CBS. Adding UNLV would cull the best market remaining in the MW hurting an ESPN rival while potentially increasing the value of the big12. The Big12 in my opinion has little option but to try to expand. They are at the bottom of P4, and the separation is growing between them and the rest.

 

[Rebel1986]

It appears that way for sure.

But to the greater point..If we had landed Harsin for 2 million per year I don't think anybody would have been upset. I mean sure there would be the typical concerns people might raise (warranted or not) like he hadn't coached in two years, was he simply a by product of the Boise juggernaut etc.

UNLV has to spend 3.5 million per for Mullen. They could have spent nearly half that and landed any number of solid candidates and nobody would have thought 'oh no here we go again'.

Let's say it was Harsin, I think the expectations would be nearly the same (pre portal departures and portal additions). We landed a good coach that can have us contending for conference titles. Hell even Mora wouldn't have been viewed as a 'bad' hire considering what he's done at UCONN. (Maybe not overly popular but definitely not a wave the white flag hire).

I don't know, just makes you wonder if there is more behind it.

I have a feeling just in additional ticket sales UNLV will make up the difference in the cost of the coach.

 

[dcut03]

Best case scenario is that UNLV feels like they have a realistic chance at getting into P4. They have had promising feedback and they think they truly have a shot

The worst case scenario is they know about as much as the rest of us. We know they have talked to the B12 in the past and have been given feedback. They are doing everything they can, starting with the Odom hire to get there.

In the latter scenario, they hired Mullen because they have momentum, a good product to sell to boosters, NIL financiers, and people with coach funding capabilities. They know they have a smallish window and they are going balls to the wall to force conferences that probably really don't want to add them to add them. The worst case is that it doesn't work out. Mullen goes elsewhere, and the next coach is much more reasonable.

Basically they hired Mullen because they can right now, and they may not be able to later.

It could be somewhere in between both scenarios, but I think it is leaning more towards the latter.

Vegas is Vegas. The CFP championship is in Vegas because it should be. It would make so much money for so many people. I don't think UNLV has anything to do with that situation.

 

[RebelinWA]

Beat case scenario is that UNLV feels like they have a realistic chance at getting into P5. They have had promising feedback and they think they truly have a shot

The worst case scenario is they know about as much as the rest of us. We know they have talked to the B12 in the past and have been given feedback. They are doing everything they can, starting with the Odom hire to get there.

In the latter scenario, they hired Mullen because they have momentum, a good product to sell to boosters, NIL financiers, and people with coach funding capabilities. They know they have a smallish window and they are going balls to the wall to force conferences that probably really don't want to add them to add them. The worst case is that it doesn't work out. Mullen goes elsewhere, and the next coach is much more reasonable.

Basically they hired Mullen because they can right now, and they may not be able to later.

It could be somewhere in between both scenarios, but I think it is leaning more towards the latter.

Vegas is Vegas. The CFP championship is in Vegas because it should be. It would make so much money for so many people. I don't think UNLV has anything to do with that situation.

I agree. Harper may just being trying to will "unlv to b12" into existence.

 

[RebelScrub]

Short answer- UNLV finally understands that football and football alone is the future for financial relevance.

It’s a long off season and me and the roommate are loooking forward to women’s basketball.

Not the WNBA. Yes you heard it right. Women’s college basketball.

 

[Meister_Rebel]

It’s a long off season and me and the roommate are loooking forward to women’s basketball.

Not the WNBA. Yes you heard it right. Women’s college basketball.

About ****ing time. That's all I got to say on that subject.

On another subject I'm looking forward to our Softball team to get started in a couple of weeks. If you haven't seen our catcher you are missing out on a once in a generation type of softball catcher at UNLV. Sophomore Jesse Farrell ranked in the top 15 in the U.S.A. for D1 Softball catchers. And, then we just added a freshman pitcher who hasn't played one inning and is already recognized as one of about 170 top freshman pitchers in the Country. From the state of WA she was their Gatorade player of the year. Yanina Sherwood. This is going to be fun to watch.

Jesse Farrell:

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

I have a feeling just in additional ticket sales UNLV will make up the difference in the cost of the coach.

Roughly 1.5 million per more in tickets?

 

[utestream]

Roughly 1.5 million per more in tickets?

Yes, at $50 per ticket X 30,000. That would require an average of 37,000 in home game attendance. I predict that UNLV will average > 40 k attendance in 2025.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

Yes, at $50 per ticket X 30,000. That would require an average of 37,000 in home game attendance. I predict that UNLV will average > 40 k attendance in 2025.

40k is possible. We don't get Boise this year. UCLA should travel reasonably well. Rest of home slate is pretty meh..

 

[dcut03]

Yes, at $50 per ticket X 30,000. That would require an average of 37,000 in home game attendance. I predict that UNLV will average > 40 k attendance in 2025.

I love the enthusiasm, but there is no freaking way we average over 40k this next year.

Maybe we can crack over 40 more than once if we are preseason top 25 and we are undefeated, and we spank UCLA. UCLA would be our best chance, though I am not sure how well they travel. They haven't been great, but they are close. They averaged 46k last year for home games.

But the home slate is kind of light, we have Boise on the road I believe, so we can't count on that one. Hawaii at home which should help a little.

I am hoping to average closer to 35k. No super confident in that number TBH.

 

[Rebel1986]

Roughly 1.5 million per more in tickets?

Easily. I can see UNLV adding 5-10K per game attendance on average from last season. Even at $50 per ticket that would be $250,000-500,000 per game times 6 games for a total of $1,500,000-3,000,000 for the season.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

Easily. I can see UNLV adding 5-10K per game attendance on average from last season. Even at $50 per ticket that would be $250,000-500,000 per game times 6 games for a total of $1,500,000-3,000,000 for the season.

Not saying they can't but the home schedule isn't as good I don't think. No Reno or Boise. No Fresno or SDSU either. UCLA/Syracuse probably a wash?Maybe a few more Bruins fans?

 

[Mojo702]

Let's reach a point where UNLV football isn't a stepping stone to something "bigger & better." Let's build this program where named coaches want to take the job long-term and not think about their next job the day they are hired.

 

[rebneck]

When you talk about hiring a coach you always have to consider the staff he may bring in, or may be able to bring in. With Harsin, I always think about what Eli Drinkwitz said about him:

"'Hars' is a hell of a guy," Drinkwitz said, "'Bryan' is a dickhead. Whichever one shows up to work, you know what the rest of the day is going to be like.

"If 'Hars' walks in, you're like, 'This is going to be a great day.' When 'Bryan' calls you a mother f'er on third down because you didn't get a conversion, here we go. Put your hard hat on."

 

[Boston Rebel 2]

I love the enthusiasm, but there is no freaking way we average over 40k this next year.

Maybe we can crack over 40 more than once if we are preseason top 25 and we are undefeated, and we spank UCLA. UCLA would be our best chance, though I am not sure how well they travel. They haven't been great, but they are close. They averaged 46k last year for home games.

But the home slate is kind of light, we have Boise on the road I believe, so we can't count on that one. Hawaii at home which should help a little.

I am hoping to average closer to 35k. No super confident in that number TBH.

Yeah I don't think 40K is going to happen for games like Idaho St, Utah St, UNM and AF. Probably more like 30K on average. We had 30K for SDSU and 25K for Fresno so getting that consistently to 30K or slightly higher is realistic.

We had 32K avg this year (which was like 25% up) so if we bump 10% you are at 35K. I think 35K is definitely realistic.

 

[WarthogRebel]

Another point, the MW is currently under contract with CBS. Adding UNLV would cull the best market remaining in the MW hurting an ESPN rival while potentially increasing the value of the big12. The Big12 in my opinion has little option but to try to expand. They are at the bottom of P4, and the separation is growing between them and the rest.

I agree. But I don't believe they want to expand West.

 

[Rosegreen1]

I love the enthusiasm, but there is no freaking way we average over 40k this next year.

Maybe we can crack over 40 more than once if we are preseason top 25 and we are undefeated, and we spank UCLA. UCLA would be our best chance, though I am not sure how well they travel. They haven't been great, but they are close. They averaged 46k last year for home games.

But the home slate is kind of light, we have Boise on the road I believe, so we can't count on that one. Hawaii at home which should help a little.

I am hoping to average closer to 35k. No super confident in that number TBH.

I don’t think it necessarily matters what the average is. If the UCLA game can attract anything over 50k, I think that will certainly turn heads because you look at who’s in the Big12 and you can certainly see a conference BYU game getting 50k plus and certainly everyone else would easily be 45k plus.

Last year’s TV numbers with unlv were more than fine, and I just think if you can show that Allegiant is packed for similar tier school as those in the Big12. It would turn heads.

With high attendance and Big12 media deal, we would quadruple our revenue, easily. So an investment into Mullens salary is definitely worth the gamble.

 

[dcut03]

I don’t think it necessarily matters what the average is. If the UCLA game can attract anything over 50k, I think that will certainly turn heads because you look at who’s in the Big12 and you can certainly see a conference BYU game getting 50k plus and certainly everyone else would easily be 45k plus.

Last year’s TV numbers with unlv were more than fine, and I just think if you can show that Allegiant is packed for similar tier school as those in the Big12. It would turn heads.

With high attendance and Big12 media deal, we would quadruple our revenue, easily. So an investment into Mullens salary is definitely worth the gamble.

I think the average does matter.

P4 conferences want to add teams with strong enough fanbases to show up for all games, not just big games with large visiting team contingencies. They are trying to capture the market, not just have a vacation destination for opposing teams. Because that novelty will wear off over time. I do think that does help our case, but is a small piece of the puzzle.

Last year's TV numbers where good enough I think as well, but they were juiced a bit from all of the Friday games. If we can match that with a more traditional schedule this season, that in itself would be huge. Especially since it has fewer big name opponents.

 

[Mojo702]

I agree. But I don't believe they want to expand West.

You don't think the Big 12 wants to expand west?

 

[WarthogRebel]

You don't think the Big 12 wants to expand west?

They are a West dominated conference and want Eastern teams. See the video below. Skip to the 10:42.

 

[dcut03]

West Virginia needs a partner for sure, but they also need quality football teams. Adding UNLV makes some sense since we fit in nicely regionally with the PAC teams. But you are right, I doubt they add ONLY UNLV. Memphis makes sense and maybe one other. I am not sure how much Tulane would help them from a regional perspective.

 

[Rebel1986]

Not saying they can't but the home schedule isn't as good I don't think. No Reno or Boise. No Fresno or SDSU either. UCLA/Syracuse probably a wash?Maybe a few more Bruins fans?

I see the UCLA game easily around 50K plus.

 

[dcut03]

I see the UCLA game easily around 50K plus.

I don't know. I don't see a team that averages 46k bring 15-20k fans for a road game.

 

[WarthogRebel]

I see the UCLA game easily around 50K plus.

Only if we win our first game.

 

[Rebel1986]

Only if we win our first game.

Do you expect them to lose the first game?