Mike Sanford's Final Words

by Michael Rueckert on Nov 16, 2009 10:02 PM PST in News

Mike Sanford held a press conference today to discuss being fired as the head coach of the UNLV Rebels. Interesting comments here by Sanford. He firmly believes that he did not fail as a head coach, but the University of Nevada, Las Vegas does not give enough commitment to Rebel football to succeed.

He does not take credit for the lack of success at all. Sanford feels that he was not given enough time to produce a winning record.

Sanford compares the situation to that of the University of Utah. He noted that the University of Utah gave the commitment necessary to compete at a BCS level with facilities, finances and community support. He asks the boosters and people high in the program to address this issue.

In the last 20 years that UNLV has played close to, or at BCS level competition, no football coach has left this program with a winning record, which includes a man, John Robinson who is being inducted into the college football hall of fame in December.

In my opinion, this must be a systemic infrastructure and commitment issue, not a coaching issue. One thing that i really ask to those who really care about this program... I really ask you to look at this issue, and face the reality of this issue.

UNLV has slightly improved since Sanford took over in 2005, but not by much. Here is how his career has gone as the UNLV head coach:

He thinks that the incoming players will be a part of the best team in UNLV history. He said:

With 6 incoming grey shirts that are coming into this program this spring, with the 8 early commitments that we have at this point, along with filling the rest of the 11 scholarships out of 25 total that we had to give. This will be best and fastest team in UNLV history.

It will be the first time in many years to be at, or close to 85 scholarships. Five years was not enough time to build this program from where it was from where we inherited it in 2005 in the areas of player ability, depth, player character and academic success.

Sanford will coach the team in their final game against San Diego State.

Poll

Do you agree with the decision by UNLV to fire Mike Sanford?

Yes

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No

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5 years not enough?

He knew what he was getting into when he took the job. He took over a terrible team 2005 and if he was a good coach he would have starting making some improvements right away. But you see the record the first 3 seasons it’s as if the same coach that was before him was still there. Yes they finally showed some improvement in 2008, but you are still a sub .500 team and it’s been more of the same this season….He talks about the improvements with academics, but what about improvements on the field, that is also the coaches job, you should take responsibility for it instead of blaming others.

by utahmanami on Nov 16, 2009 11:37 PM PST reply actions

Last year killed him

Had he gone to a bowl game last year and even if they lost he would have stuck around with a possible five win season. He is right though that UNLV does have terrible facilities. What was the reason for just now getting to 85 shollies? He could be right and the next class could be the best, but had he shown gradual improvement in the first few years instead of late that may have made the difference.

Plus, I can not blame the guy for jumping for the first HC job that came his way. Those jobs are not tossed around easily, yes he would have been considered for Utah’s job back in 2005 but Whitt was the choice he had been their for a while. So, Sanford took the first job and figured his offense would work since it did in such a short time at UNLV.

I am sure he will be picked up as an OC somewhere, because this Rebel offense was typically good. I personally would have liked to see him get one more year because if the class is as good as he says the might have made expectations this year.

Mountain West Connection

by Jeremy Mauss on Nov 17, 2009 5:38 AM PST reply actions