UNLV coach heads to Iowa State
UNLV running backs coach Kenith Pope has left to join Iowa State’s staff under first-year coach Paul Rhoads.
"Ken is well known and a highly respected veteran in the profession," Rhoads said in a written statement. "He brings us experience coaching running backs. In addition, he has been recruiting the Houston area for 25 years and that is important to the future of our program."
Pope spent just one season at UNLV. He joined the Rebels after serving as running backs and receivers coach at Texas A&M from 2003 to 2007.
"I have been in the Big 12 before and wanted to be a part of that league again," Pope said in a statement. "More importantly, I know that Paul Rhoads knows what it takes to win in the Big 12. He is putting together a special staff of assistant coaches who will do what it takes to win at Iowa State in this league. When (UNLV) played Iowa State earlier this year I had a chance to see that they had some very talented players offensively and that makes me excited to get going."
The Rebels defeated Iowa State 34-31 in overtime on Sept. 20.
There was no immediate word on how the Rebels would fill Pope’s vacancy.