Regents OK Robinson, fund college

Friday, Aug. 17, 2001 | 11:14 a.m.

RENO -- UNLV football coach John Robinson, given the additional job of athletic director, promised Thursday to raise $10 million for the men and women's sports programs and vowed to keep UNLV out of the NCAA's doghouse.

"Any major (NCAA) violation should result in firing," Robinson told the Board of Regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada on Thursday. And he quieted the fears of some regents that he couldn't do both jobs.

In a surprising unanimous vote, regents decided to waive a 10-year-old rule that a coach could not hold the two jobs. Robinson will sign a four-year contract that will pay him an additional $450,000 over that period. He begins his new duties in January.

Robinson, according to UNLV President Carol Harter, earns $500,000 a year, that includes pay for public appearances, radio, television work and other add-ons. His salary as athletic director is staggered: He will earn $75,000 the first year, $100,000 in 2003, $125,000 in 2004 and $150,000 in 2005.

Harter said pay for athletic directors at major schools ranges from $150,000 to $200,000.

Harter said she was surprised there were no dissenting votes. "I had thought it would be much closer, but I'm overjoyed," she said.

Robinson, who made a special trip to Reno to address the regents, will succeed athletic director Charles Cavagnaro, who is stepping down Jan. 1.

Regent Doug Hill of Reno expressed concern that Robinson couldn't handle the football chores and then oversee all departments to make sure they comply with the policies of the NCAA.

"I see another infraction (at UNLV) as being the death penalty," Hill told Robinson.

Robinson agreed that one more major violation would be fatal. But he said he's close to the other coaches and would meet with them once every two weeks. "When the athletic departments are separated from the people doing the job, that's when the failures come."

He said when Harter dismissed basketball coach Bill Bayno after accusations of rule violations it was a "positive thing."

"It got my attention," he said.

The way to prevent these NCAA violations, he said, was to "be in constant touch with the coaches." He said compliance officer Eric Tolliver "is very focused" toward keeping UNLV on the straight path. And Jerry Koloskie, the senior associate athletics director, will also have responsibility in this field.

Regent Tom Kirkpatrick of Las Vegas said Robinson is one of the top five or six coaches in the nation. But he said he had talked with other former athletic directors, including Chris Ault of UNR, and they all recommended against it.

Ault was also football coach and athletic director. Kirkpatrick quoted Ault as saying a person can't do both jobs because of the demands on his time, especially in ensuring compliance with NCAAA rules.

But outside the meeting, former UNR President Joe Crowley said he worked with Ault and there "was never a problem." UNR never had any troubles in complying with NCAA rules. And he said Ault had a tendency to put more money in other sports programs than football.

"I had to urge him to spend more on football," Crowley said.

Robinson promised not to "short shrift" the women's teams in allocating money from the athletic program. And he said he would raise $10 million. Asked in what time span, he said it would be in a "short" to "moderate" time.

"I'm not good at five-year plans," he said. "We're in a hurry."

Regent Dorothy Gallagher of Elko questioned whether Robinson might be doomed for failure in handling the two jobs. And she wondered if Robinson would step down from one if he found them too tough.

"I'm best when challenged," Robinson replied. "This is a cause, not a job. I think I can do a better job than anyone else. I will not be set up to fail."

And he said he thinks the coaching staffs will produce "better than they do now" by 25 percent. He said he felt all coaches at UNLV were behind him in seeking the job of athletic director.

The contract for the athletic director runs for four years and coincides with Robinson's football contract.

The athletic director's contract provides Robinson with 12 additional complimentary football and basketball tickets and six all-sport passes on a game-by-game basis for business and promotional purposes.

When Robinson's wife, Linda, accompanies him on business trips, her travel and daily expenses will be picked up by the university.

If Robinson is fired without cause, UNLV will be required to pay him for the rest of that year plus $112,500 within 60 days of the termination of his contract. The school would not be liable for loss of other business opportunities by Robinson if he is dismissed.

Robinson can be fired for cause for such things as violation of school or NCAA rules, for conduct that would reflect adversely on the school and athletic program or for prolonged absences. He would be entitled to a hearing to present his case.

If there is a violation found involving the football team, Robinson must step aside and allow Koloskie to conduct an investigation and make a recommendation to Harter.

Koloskie also must review all new hires, merit and salary requests and other items related to the football team and make recommendations to Harter.

Besides his fund-raising duties, Robinson will be required to evaluate the staff and negotiate contracts for radio and television in conjunction with ESPN regional.

Robinson told reporters he viewed the new position as one of leadership and that he is not somebody who is tied to a desk, pushing papers.

One of his first priorities, he said, will be getting an academic facility for athletes, making it easier for them to study. This facility would have computers and tutors to help the athletes focus on their studies after practice.

Harter said 43 percent of the athletes at UNLV graduate versus 38 percent of the general student population. When she arrived, she said, it was 23 percent for athletes.

"It needs to go up," she said, referring to the graduation rate of athletes. Not many of them will make it in professional sports, and they must be prepared to enter other professions, she said.

The unanimous approval vote may be due in part to Regent Tom Wiesner of Las Vegas. Both Kirkpatrick and Hill said Wiesner talked with them, emphasizing that Robinson was the best person for the job.

Wiesner, a strong UNLV booster, said at the meeting that Robinson was "the right person at the right time."

Absent from the meeting were Las Vegas regents Mark Alden and Steve Sisolak.

Robinson told the regents the athletic program at UNLV was at a "pivotal point" and it either can move forward or fall backward. He said he felt he could "energize" the 75 employees in the department. "We have unusual talent in coaching."

Robinson will be on the Reno campus again Oct. 6 when UNLV plays UNR. Asked what his record would be at that point in the schedule, he quipped, "Undefeated."

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