UNLV tabs high school coach to lead football program

Dec 11, 2014 - 9:29 PM Las Vegas, NV (SportsNetwork.com) - UNLV introduced Tony Sanchez as its new head football coach on Thursday.

Sanchez was among the top high school coaches in the Las Vegas area, leading Bishop Gorman to a record of 85-5 and six straight state championships.

"We are delighted to welcome Tony Sanchez as the head football coach at UNLV," director of athletics Tina Kunzer-Murphy said. "We aren't changing the coach of our program today, we are changing our program. In Las Vegas, we aren't afraid to take a bold approach to responding to challenges and this qualifies. We have been talking about changing the entire culture of this program and that's what today's announcement signifies."

The Rebels needed a replacement for Bobby Hauck, who resigned after a 2-11 record in 2014. Hauck spent five years with the Rebels and posted a record of 15-49.

UNLV had just one winning season under Hauck, a 7-6 mark in 2013 that ended in a loss to North Texas in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. It was the Rebels' first bowl appearance and winning season since 2000 under John Robinson.

"I am extremely excited to be UNLV's head coach," Sanchez said. "I'm fired up and ready to create excitement in the Las Vegas community and make the Rebels everybody's football team. I'm grateful to Tina, President Snyder and our incoming President, Dr. Len Jessup, for giving me the opportunity to make a difference here."