UNLV's new coach says he wants to build enthusiasm

Dec 24, 2009 - 3:39 AM By OSKAR GARCIA Associated Press Writer

LAS VEGAS(AP) -- Incoming UNLV coach Bobby Hauck said he's excited about generating enthusiasm for football and building a winning program. The former Montana coach said he doesn't know how long it will take.

"It's going to take some work and we're going to get at it ... immediately," Hauck said Wednesday as he was formally introduced by the university.

UNLV president Neal Smatresk said the Rebels aren't too far away from contending in the Mountain West Conference.

"Let's hope two years from now we all look like geniuses," he said.

Smatresk said UNLV faces tough conference foes in TCU, Utah and BYU, but he thinks the Rebels can reach the top third of the league.

The Board of Regents was set to approve Hauck's contract in an afternoon meeting, less than one week after he coached the Grizzlies in the Football Championship Subdivision title game.

The three-year deal will pay Hauck $350,000 annually, with some pay deferred and incentives for winning, bowl games and helping student-athletes graduate, Smatresk said.

Hauck, 45, said enthusiasm for his team will come if it's worth watching. He hopes to have a high-powered offense like the unit he coached in Montana, which averaged 35.8 points and 427.4 yards per game last season, mostly in the air.

"I'm a firm believer that you need to run the ball to win but you need to be able to throw it to put a few people in the seats," he said.

UNLV has not had a winning season since 2000, and went 5-7 in 2009 while losing by 20 points or more five times.

Hauck said in an interview that he has not had a chance to fully evaluate his team, but was excited to meet about 20 of his players on Wednesday.

He said one goal will be to win a Mountain West Conference championship.

"It will be a challenge here to get it done," he said.

Smatresk said he thinks Hauck exudes an enthusiasm for football that will make players want to "run through walls" for him.

Hauck was 80-17 in seven seasons with the Grizzles. He led Montana to three FCS national title games, including last week's 23-21 loss to Villanova.