Rebel baseball position attracts World Series vet

Victoria Sun

Friday, June 8, 2001 | 10:39 a.m.

He hasn't actually applied for the job, but that doesn't mean former Oklahoma State baseball coach Gary Ward isn't interested in trying to turn UNLV's program around.

UNLV head coach Rod Soesbe was dismissed May 21 after leading the Rebels to a 139-155 record the last five years.

Ward, a friend of both Soesbe and former Rebel coach Fred Dallimore, said he is in the process of researching the position.

"I am interested in the job," Ward said Thursday over the phone from Las Cruces, N.M., where he has returned to college baseball as coach of the New Mexico State Aggies. "I think there is tremendous potential in this program.

"This job is attractive to many coaches across the country because of the potential.

"I like the city. I believe it is a city that has grown tremendously over the years and I'm talking about away from the Strip. I used to recruit there."

Ward, the sixth-winningest coach in college baseball history, was the head coach at Oklahoma State from 1978-'96. He guided the Cowboys to 10 College World Series appearances in 19 seasons and 18 40-win seasons.

During his tenure, the Cowboys earned a record seven CWS berths from 1981-'87 and won 17 Big Eight championships.

He coached 14 first team All-Americans at Oklahoma State including Robin Ventura, the 1988 Golden Spikes Award winner and Baseball America's player of the decade for the 1980s. Ward retired following the 1996 season due to back problems.

The 60-year-old Ward turned Oklahoma State into a baseball powerhouse and said the same can be done at UNLV.

"There is the opportunity for UNLV to be competitive on the national level but it is going to take some hard work," Ward said. "I think at any university, whether it be Oklahoma State or UNLV, it takes someone with tremendous energy and dedication to build a program and someone who understands how that is done.

"You have to build relationships with alumni, the community and boosters to help support the program. It's important to get funding from the public and private sector."

Ward succeeded his son, Rocky, as head coach of New Mexico State last June. In one season at his alma mater, he guided the Aggies, a former college baseball doormat, to a 32-23 overall record, 9-17 in the Sun Belt Conference.

Ward said he has spoken to several people about the UNLV opening but has not spoken with anyone in the athletic department.

He said he will continue to evaluate the position to see if it is a good fit for him.

A search committee for a new coach has been formed at UNLV. Applications reportedly will be accepted through June 15.