The blueprint for winning at UNLV was created by Barry Odom. It’s possible to keep such a thing going, but Dan Mullen has work to do as the Rebels’ new coach.
Ed Graney
Sports columnist
Email: egraney@reviewjournal.com
Phone: (702) 383-4618
X: @edgraney
Ed Graney came to the Review-Journal in May of 2006 as its lead sports columnist. He has covered all major sporting events, including Super Bowls to NBA championships to every Final Four since 1995. Graney also covered the Olympic Games in Beijing (2008) and London (2012). A graduate of San Diego State University, he is a five-time Nevada Sportswriter of the Year and past winner of Associated Press Sports Editors Top 10 for columns. He and wife Bonnie have two children, a son (Tristan) and daughter (Bridget).
The Rebels weren’t going to win a bidding war with Purdue for coach Barry Odom, who left the UNLV program in far better shape than he found it two years ago.
UNLV athletic director Erick Harper needed just 10 days to hire Barry Odom his last football coaching search. He wants to move even faster this time. Here are some names the Rebels could consider:
The Rebels lost the Mountain West football championship game to Boise State, but the historic strides UNLV has taken can’t be discounted.
Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez believes the winner of the UNLV-Boise State conference title game deserves a bye into the College Football Playoff.
UNLV and Boise State will meet in the Mountain West championship game for the second straight season. The rematch has College Football Playoff implications.
Barry Odom’s base salary is $1.75 million a year at UNLV. That won’t be nearly enough for the Rebels to keep Power Four teams from trying to poach their football coach.
UNLV is better in all phases of the game since losing to Boise State on Oct. 25. It’s how you want things to be in November and December when championships are decided.
Tie-down roper Shad Mayfield has a chance to become only the second Black cowboy to win the PRCA all-around title at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
Second-year UNLV coach Barry Odom has his team back in the Mountain West championship and a win away from the College Football Playoff.
Coming off their longest road trip of the season, the Golden Knights showed their mettle in beating the Winnipeg Jets, the league’s best team, on Friday.
The Raiders made horrible mistakes at awful times Friday. It’s why they’re walking out of Kansas City with a loss, instead of a promising win.
UNLV’s football team has shown a lot of skill this season. The Rebels have proven to be just as competent above the shoulder pads in amassing their 9-2 record.
Jordan Meredith has been waived five times during his NFL career. That hasn’t stopped him from being a standout on the Raiders’ offensive line this year.
The team from the rural town of Alamo won its record 24th state title on Tuesday, more than even mighty Bishop Gorman. They have now captured 15 championships since 2005.