Coronado golf star McInerney chooses UNLV
It has been a big week for UNLV golf coach Dwaine Knight — and his team never stepped onto a course.
First, Knight landed two big-time players for 2011 — Carl Jonson and Kurt Kitayama — who both signed national letters of intent Tuesday. Then, Knight secured an even bigger prize when Coronado High School star A.J. McInerney gave the Rebels an oral commitment for 2012.
"I love playing golf in Las Vegas," said McInerney, who chose UNLV over Stanford and San Diego. "Shadow Creek, Southern Highlands … there’s so many great places to play. And I think Coach Knight is a great coach. He does the right thing, and I’m excited about playing for him."
The Rebels will get a talented player. McInerney helped lead Coronado to the Nevada state championship last spring as a sophomore. He then went on the American Junior Golf Association circuit last summer and made second-team All-American.
NCAA rules prohibit Knight from commenting on McInerney.
McInerney said he’s excited about improving his game under Knight’s direction.
"Coach Knight has a great reputation for helping guys," he said. "I feel my putting needs to get better, and I know Coach Knight will help me improve.
"It’s a bonus to be able to stay home and be around my family and everyone. But I want to win a national championship, and I feel like I have the best chance to do that at UNLV."
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.