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.