Horton fires four coaches

Steve Carp

Monday, Nov. 25, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Stan Eggen had to put the caller on hold. There was another call coming in.

"Maybe it's (Bob) Davie," he said.

Unfortunately for Eggen, it wasn't the new Notre Dame football coach. But if anyone is looking for a defensive coordinator, Eggen is available. So are three other UNLV assistants, who were let go in a shake-up of Jeff Horton's staff in the aftermath of the worst season in school history at 1-11.

Eggen, who had served as Horton's defensive coordinator the past three seasons, was let go, along with defensive line coach James Spurlock, outside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator Greg Lees and running backs and special teams coach Joe Saunders.

The changes were made late last week but were officially announced Sunday following the team's awards banquet.

"It's the toughest thing I've ever had to do," Horton said. "It wasn't because they didn't work hard. But when you're struggling in the areas we've struggled in, sometimes you have to make changes. I made a decision based on what I thought was in the best interests of the program."

Eggen, Lees and Saunders were part of Horton's original staff that came to UNLV from Nevada-Reno in November 1993. Of the original staff, only offensive line coach Mark Weber, defensive backs coach Randy Stewart and tight ends coach Tom Nordquist remain.

Horton said the search is already under way for coaches to fill the vacancies and he said there will be no other changes. He supposedly has talked to former defensive line coach O'Neill Gilbert about returning to UNLV. Gilbert was coaching at Illinois, but head coach Lou Tepper was let go earlier this month and Gilbert is available.

Horton would not comment about specific individuals. But when asked what direction he wanted for the defense, he said, "I don't know what we need at this time, but we've got to find someone that the kids will rally around."

Horton said he hopes to have the vacancies filled in the next couple of weeks. Recruiting has already begun and if the Rebels are to improve, they need to have their staff in place and in position to sign some quality players.

Eggen said he had no idea his job was in jeopardy.

"I didn't see this coming, honest," he said. "I was too busy trying to get ready for the next game."

But Eggen admitted that while he thought the UNLV defense was making progress, the numbers didn't support that position. The Rebels set records for most points allowed (551), most total yards allowed (6,516) and had the nation's worst defense overall.

"I felt there was progress being made, but statistically, you can look it up and we didn't do the things we needed to do," Eggen said.

Horton is confident his former assistants will land on their feet. Each of the departed coaches' contracts will be honored through June.

"They're quality guys," he said. "Stan's a warrior, he'll fight to the end."

Eggen said: "In this business, you have to take the bad with the good. Jeff's the head coach. He's got to do what he feels is best. I wish the program the best of luck. I still think they'll get it done.

"But I've got confidence in my ability and I believe I'll be coaching somewhere. I've had two days of mourning. Now I've got to get a job."