Ex-UNLV coach searching for new job

Steve Carp

Thursday, March 21, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Rollie Massimino, who left UNLV in disgrace just before the start of the 1994-95 season after a secret supplemental contract was made public, is looking to return to coaching.

Massimino will interview today at Gannon University, a Division II school in Erie, Pa. The 61-year-old Massimino has spent the past two seasons working as a television color analyst on Atlantic 10 Conference games.

Gannon is trying to fill the vacancy left by Bob Dukiet, who was fired midway through the season. The Golden Knights finished 10-16 overall, 5-13 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

When reached in Pennsylvania Wednesday night, Massimino denied he was returning to coaching.

"Right now, no," he said before abruptly hanging up.

However, UNLV sources said they were contacted by Gannon officials seeking biographical information on Massimino. In addition, the Erie (Pa.) Daily Times reported Wednesday that Massimino was indeed a candidate after he had contacted the school.

Gannon Sports Information Director Bob Shreve told the Times, "He is a legitimate candidate and he is interested in the position.

"The only thing I do know is it was an interest on his (Massimino's) part. I don't know all the particulars, but it wasn't one of those things that we were banging down his door trying to get him interested. There was interest on his part and talk moved on from there."

Judy Saurer, the former women's coach at Gannon who is a good friend of Massimino's, may have been the one to convince him to check into the job.

If Massimino returns to the bench, it would not mean an end to his $1.8-million UNLV contract buyout. The school remains obligated to pay Massimino through September 1998.

"He would still get his money," said former UNLV President Kenny Guinn, who negotiated the buyout. "That's how we were able to get it down to the figure we did and not have to pay for other items."

Massimino, who was the architect of Villanova's stunning upset of Georgetown in the 1985 NCAA title game and compiled a 357-241 record in 19 years with the Wildcats, came to UNLV in April 1992, replacing Jerry Tarkanian.

In his two years as Rebels coach, Massimino compiled a 36-21 record. The Rebels made it to the 1993 NIT during Massimino's first season, but were ousted in the first round. UNLV has not been to postseason play since.

The program also suffered some hits off the court during Massimino's reign. In December 1992, redshirt Kebu Stewart received extra benefits from outside sources which resulted in Stewart being suspended for the first six games of the 1993-94 season.

Just prior to the 1993 Big West tournament, it was discovered that leading scorer Isaiah (J.R.) Rider may have committed academic fraud by having a tutor write papers for him.

Finally, the discovery of Massimino's supplemental contract forced UNLV officials to make a change. Attendance and scholarship donations had plummeted sharply during Massimino's stay and Guinn, who was interim president, made the decision to buy out Massimino.