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Whenever I would attend a game or practice over the years where Dave Rice was coaching, he would always make it a point to come over and talk to me.
He’s just a quality guy. He never hesitated going out of his way to acknowledge me, and always let me know how much he respected me.
Nobody has seen him before as a head coach, so I don’t think it would be fair to say how he’ll be as UNLV’s basketball coach. I can tell you he’s a smart guy and a hard worker. He’ll put in the time for that program to be successful.
I called Dave today to congratulate him and I will be at the press conference tomorrow to support him. He’s a Rebel and deserves my support.
Even though I wanted Reggie Theus to get the job, Dave still called me during the interview process to talk. He didn’t ask for my support, he just wanted to let me know how much he appreciated everything I did for him.
That shows what type of man Dave Rice is. There were no bad feelings about me supporting Reggie.
Reggie interviewed when Lon Kruger got the job seven years ago and they told him he needed to get more experience. So, Reggie went and coached in the NBA, and led New Mexico State to the tournament. I thought they were grooming him for the job. It would have been a slam-dunk hire.
But at least they picked a Rebel. He’s going to try to bring back some of the old traditions.
Dave said he wants to play the same style we did. He wants to push the ball up the court and play some pressure defense.
Dave knows this is a very elite job — a job several elite coaches wanted. It is one of the top 10 or 15 jobs in the country.
They have great facilities that will only get better when construction is finished on the practice facility. There is also great support from the fans and administration.
I’ll be one of the ones there tomorrow showing my support.
Coach, There are many of us here in town that would have been perfectly happy with either one of the Rebel candidates. In fact quite a few of us would have loved both working the sidelines. Not practical, just wishing. As alway, I admire your class.
According to this article in Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Reggie Theus says he never got a call from anyone at UNLV telling him he didn't get the job and that he had to learn Dave Rice had been hired via the Internet. How totally classless of Neal Smatresk and Jim Livengood! Here is article:
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves...
Let it go already people! The search wasn't handled properly. It NEVER is with Maryland Pkwy. They always bungle it.
Rice was the guy from the moment Kruger left, and probably even before then. Why they can't come right out and say that and avoid another embarrassing mess for the university, I dont know, but it's over.
Rice deserves this opportunity and our full support. Let's put the feuds and flame wars behind us and move on.
Like coach, I favored Theus for the job, too. But I am happy that Rice got the job and feel that he will be really good.
Recruiting, recruiting, recruiting. Dave Rice is younger, has better contacts with the camps and summer programs and can do a better job of recruiting from the ground up, than Mr. Theus. UNLV needs to build a solid program like SDSU. If St. John's program is an indicator UNLV will be in very good shape. Plus maybe we will finally get a true center.
Thanks for speaking up Tark. Part of the reason there is such an uproar is because Theus was your guy and your word carries a ton of weight with a majority of the fans that still live in the past. I wanted Theus too, but Rice has my full support. Let's get it in Rebels!!
franknewman - your post makes no sense on several different levels.
Thanks coach. As always you demonstrate class in your words and actions. Too bad some other "fans" and individuals involved in the process couldn't do the same.
I was leaning toward Theus as well, but I am glad that at least it was a Rebel that got the job. I will support Coach Rice and I am excited about the future. Hopefully he can bring back the excitment we had when I first started following the Rebels in the '80's.
Of course everyone wishes the new coach well. But people are missing the point. Lon Kruger, who did an excellent job, would still be here, if our higher education system was not tanking. Kruger deserted a sinking ship. If our legislature can't get new taxes past our stubborn governor, there will be many more desertions - quality academics, administrators, and students, who will find better opportunities elsewhere.