The Wiz of Odds

Is Big Money Fueling Coaching Change at UNLV?

Wiz correspondent Greg Laughlin spent Saturday night in our favorite city, Las Vegas, site of the Fremont Cannon battle between Nevada and host Nevada Las Vegas. It was the last game for Rebels coach Bobby Hauck. His team faded late and lost, 49-27.

Nevada Las Vegas now begins its search for Hauck's replacement, with reports indicating that Bishop Gorman High's Tony Sanchez being at the top of the list. Sanchez's candidacy is said to be backed by Lorenzo Fertitta, CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship and vice chairman of Station Casinos. Fertitta reportedly would commit as much as $30 million to the program if Sanchez is hired.

There are more images after the jump.

Utah State Overpowers Nevada Las Vegas

There are many memorable places to watch a college football game. Utah State's Romney Stadium on a perfect fall afternoon is tough to beat.

Wiz correspondent Greg Laughlin first stop on Saturday was Logan, Utah, site of the Aggies' matchup against Nevada Las Vegas. Utah State won, 34-20, making the 2014-15 senior class the winningest in program history. The seniors have a 32-16 record, a mark the group will try and improve on in the coming weeks.

The seniors' accomplishment is even more impressive considering the seniors had the challenge of moving the team into the Mountain West Conference.

There are more images after the jump.

Nevada Las Vegas

Bobby Hauck, who won only six games in three seasons as Nevada Las Vegas coach, was firmly on the hot seat entering 2013. Things got worse when the Rebels gave up 109 points in losing their first two games. But UNLV ripped off four wins in a row enroute to a 7-6 finish that included the team's first bowl berth since 2000. The Rebels open their quest for a second consecutive bowl on Aug. 29 at Arizona.

Nevada Las Vegas

Nevada Las Vegas is 2-33 on the road since the second game of the 2007 season and its last road win came on Oct. 24, 2009, a 34-17 victory at New Mexico. The Rebels open Thursday night at Minnesota.

The poster features running back Tim Cornett, who is trying to become the team's all-time leading rusher.

Thanks to Mark.

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Nevada Las Vegas

In December 2009, Bobby Hauck left the comfort and beauty of Missoula, Mont., for the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, but he likely didn't envision the odds stacked against resurrecting the UNLV program, which has only one winning season since joining the Western Athletic Conference in 1996. Hauck's first team finished 2-11 and Year 2 doesn't look much better. However, his roster is stacked with young players and better days are likely a year or two away.

Thanks to Mark. Click the image to enlarge.

UNLV Will Pick Either Hauck or Franchione

Montana's Bobby Hauck, left, and former Texas A&M, Alabama, Texas Christian and New Mexico coach Dennis Franchione are the finalists for the opening at Nevada Las Vegas.

New UNLV athletic director Jim Livengood, who was hired last week, interviewed Hauck on Sunday and Franchione on Monday. A decision is expected Tuesday, with the formal announcement likely on Wednesday.

The Board of Regents has called a special meeting for Wednesday to approve contracts for Livengood and the new coach, according to Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.