Robinson as A.D. not a lock

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2001 | 11:29 a.m.

John Robinson's bid to become UNLV's new athletic director may not be such a done deal after all.

It has been widely speculated that Robinson is a lock to get a special waiver from the state Board of Regents this week, which would allow him to continue coaching the Rebel football team while also assuming outgoing UNLV athletic director Charles Cavagnaro's duties starting Jan. 1.

But there seems to be growing concern among some regents that performing both jobs is a lot to ask of one man. In somewhat of a surprise development, Robinson has arranged his schedule to attend Thursday's meeting in Reno in an attempt to assuage those concerns.

Robinson said Tuesday night after practice at Rebel Park that he would fly to Reno on Thursday morning to meet with the regents and make his pitch to take over for Cavagnaro. The issue is scheduled to be discussed at 1 p.m. Thursday.

"I think we have the votes," Robinson said. "I have to talk with the regents and satisfy their concerns."

But Robinson, 66, said he wasn't crossing his fingers in hoping for the votes.

"Nah," he said. "If they don't want me, then I'll just coach."

At least one regent has suggested the Robinson proposal be tabled until October's meeting, but the coach said he would prefer to have an answer now.

"I don't know," Robinson said. "I'd like to get it over with so I can stop thinking about it and get some things rolling."

Based on comments made to the Sun for this story, regents Jill Derby, Howard Rosenberg and Doug Seastrand are firmly in Robinson's corner. Tom Wiesner refused comment, but is a big booster of the UNLV football program. The Sun could not reach Linda Howard but sources said she would vote in Robinson's favor.

That would give Robinson five of the majority six votes that are required.

Regents Tom Kirkpatrick and Mark Alden will vote no and Steve Sisolak is not expected to attend the meeting. Regents Thalia Dondero, Dorothy Gallagher and Doug Hill are undecided.

Alden, who told the Sun on Aug. 2 that he would vote for Robinson and thought the Rebel coach had the votes to be approved for the job, now has changed his mind.

"I can't vote for it," Alden said. "It just hasn't worked across the country when (head football coaches are also athletic directors). Believe me, I think Coach Robinson's heart is in the right place. I just think it's an issue that needs to be explored deeper."

"You never know what's going to happen until you get there," Alden said. "It could come up and get passed. But my gut feeling is that there is too much going on and that it will probably get tabled. I think it deserves a fair discussion and that would happen if we moved it back to October."

And if it does come to a vote on Thursday afternoon?

"I'd have to abstain from voting," Alden said.

Regent Tom Kirkpatrick of Las Vegas said he will vote against the motion after discussing the matter with three current or former Division I athletic directors: former UNLV A.D. Brad Rothermel, Nevada-Reno's Chris Ault and the University of Tennessee's Doug Dickey.

"I talked to Brad Rothermel about it and he said there were weeks when he worked 90 hours," Kirkpatrick said. "He said there was just no way a person could do both jobs effectively. He also brought up the point that there are 115 Division I football schools and only one, Arkansas State, has a football coach (Joe Hollis) who is also the A.D. And I certainly don't want UNLV to be modeled after Arkansas State."

But other regents enthusiastically support Robinson's bid to do both jobs.

"I think he can do it," Regent Jill Derby said. "We don't make exceptions like this often but we've already made one because of the quality of the individual (Ault, who previously served as both head football coach and athletic director at Nevada-Reno.) I feel the same about John Robinson. He's the right person to do it. It's important to balance athletics with academics and he's a man of integrity who supports both of those."

Regent Rosenberg of Reno was just as effusive in his praise of Robinson but wondered why the regents have to be so involved in the decision that he believes has already been made by UNLV President Dr. Carol Harter.

"This is Dr. Harter's decision so why are we involved?" Rosenberg said.

"This (Robinson's appointment as A.D.) is the right thing at this particular time. It can be done. It isn't going to be easy but all you need is the right individual. John Robinson is impeccable."

Regent Doug Seastrand of Las Vegas said he's also a big fan of Robinson's but wants to ask some questions of the coach before casting his vote. But, said Seastrand, "He's certainly got a great reputation. He's a great motivator and there are a lot of positives. There's no question he's capable of doing a lot of things."

Dorothy Gallagher of Elko spoke for undecided regents when she said "I want to be sure we're not giving one man two full-time jobs and then be upset (when he's not able to perform both jobs). I want to be assured that's not going to happen."

Added Regent Doug Hill of Reno: "My thoughts are all over the place. I haven't put it all together yet. I have real concerns on one hand, and on the other I have great respect for John Robinson."

In addition to the "yes" votes, Robinson also will need the Regents to waive the so-called "Chris Ault Rule," a by-law that then-Regent Sig Rogich proposed in 1991. It was Rogich's belief that one man should not be serve as both head coach of a sport as well as athletic director, to prevent against a potential conflict of interests.

The Sun could not reach UNLV president Harter for additional comment, although she remains confident that Robinson will be approved.

"(Robinson) is a very special person," she told KLAS Channel 8 on Tuesday. "He's very enthusiastic. He's visionary. He's totally energetic. He's very eager to move our entire athletic program forward. ... I'm quite sure the Regents will vote very positively for John's appointment."

Sun sportswriter Steve Addy and sports editor Ron Kantowski contributed to this story.