Texas-size offer can’t lure Knight from UNLV

Friday, Aug. 1, 1997 | 10:49 a.m.

The desire to achieve a goal 10 years in the making won out over the lure of a lucrative contract for UNLV head golf coach Dwaine Knight.

Knight on Thursday turned down an offer to coach the University of Texas team in order to remain at UNLV and pursue his dream of building a national championship program in Las Vegas.

"Really, there wasn't one negative about Texas at all," Knight said. "They're going to be tremendous competitors that we're going to have to deal with. They're going to have a great, great program -- they are moving in that direction very rapidly.

"But I feel like for me and for (my wife) Deb, the future is here. We feel this is a vibrant time in our lives and for this community and maybe we can both grow together and create something awfully special. We started it and now I want to try to see it through."

Knight, who has led the Rebels to four conference championships and three NCAA West Regional titles in his 10 years at UNLV, said the offer from Texas was very tempting.

"It was the hardest (decision) I've ever had because of the academic standards at Texas and its prestige throughout the country and the world," he said. "It was staggering when you're really presented with that. It was really difficult, believe it or not."

Knight said the decision was even tougher than the offer he received in 1992 from Arizona State. At that time, Knight said the decision was the most agonizing of his career.

"I've had two unbelievable opportunities with two great programs," Knight said, referring to Texas and ASU. "Maybe in your whole life you have one that might turn your head and I've had two since I've been here. Both times I've decided not to leave; that's pretty incredible in itself.

"I feel very fortunate to have UNLV as a school to coach at, but those two programs that I've had a chance to look at, I don't know that anybody in the nation has had two looks like that. I feel very gratified that I've had the opportunity to look."

The Rebel Golf Foundation, which funds the UNLV program, is believed to have come up with a new compensation package for Knight that comes close to matching the Texas offer.

But Knight said that his decision to stay at UNLV was not based or motivated by money.

"I've got a very solid package and we're very pleased and grateful with it," said Knight, who declined to discuss the specifics of his new deal. "It really wasn't based on money, believe it or not.

"They worked very hard here to be competitive with (the Texas offer), but the other things were much bigger factors in my mind. I feel good about everything and I'm ready to move forward and work hard."

UNLV athletics director Charles Cavagnaro praised the efforts of the Foundation for helping the university retain Knight.

"Our golf program has been a major source of pride for the university and city and I am glad that coach Knight has agreed to stay," Cavagnaro said in a statement released by the university. "I appreciate the role of the Rebel Golf Foundation in providing not only financial, but moral support to the golf program.

"We have created an environment to achieve the ultimate goal of winning a national championship."

Knight said the community support his program receives and the commitment from the university and the Rebel Golf Foundation were other factors in his decision to remain at UNLV.

"To tell you the truth, the status of golf in this community, and the interest in it, was a big factor," Knight said. "That would have to be built (at Texas) and here it is incredible. Golf is a big part of our community and UNLV golf is a piece of that pie."