UNLV has no plans to rush as coach search goes on

Steve Addy

Tuesday, March 6, 2001 | 10:42 a.m.

Rick Pitino decided he'd had enough of UNLV's courtship, but it doesn't mean the school will pick its new coach on the rebound.

In fact, athletic director Charlie Cavagnaro says the Rebels' next coach might be employed elsewhere during March Madness.

After Pitino's sudden withdrawal from consideration Sunday, Cavagnaro is approaching the broadened search with prudence, not desperation or wounded pride.

He said Monday that he doesn't intend to rush, especially because some candidates might be coaching NCAA Tournament teams.

"The overriding feeling is that sooner is better than later, but I don't want to inject a deadline that's unnecessary," Cavagnaro said. "We want to hire the very best person to lead the program. We're still heading into the postseason, and the vast majority of coaches have jobs right now."

Cavagnaro said he received calls from four coaches after Pitino's withdrawal, asking to be considered for the Rebels' post after the season. He wouldn't name the coaches or comment on potential candidates.

However, Utah's Rick Majerus and Purdue's Gene Keady are said to be UNLV's leading targets, and neither will be in the NCAA Tournament. Majerus has been away from the Utes all season tending to his ailing mother in Milwaukee and his own health, while Purdue is 14-13 and won't make the NCAA field.

Efforts to contact both coaches have begun, school sources said.

"We are working off a short list, and there are some high-powered coaches out there who would happily entertain the idea of coaching here," Cavagnaro said. "UNLV is still a major name in college basketball."

In other words, just because Pitino lost interest for any of several reasons, the Rebels aren't entering the revised search with hats in hand. Nor must they jump at the first decent candidate who bats eyes at them.

"It's safe to say we're going to go for an experienced coach," Cavagnaro said. "On the list we have, that's one of the strengths."

Marquee value isn't as high among the priorities. Cavagnaro concedes that Pitino would have put fans in the seats on his track record alone, but said, "When we're winning games, fans will come out."

Despite Cavagnaro's methodical approach, he concedes that as more jobs open up, there will be increased competition in the market. Louisville's Denny Crum has already retired, leading to speculation that Pitino will go there. The Michigan job will be open soon, and possibly Indiana.

Several other names are on UNLV's list, but just as many have been eliminated. University sources said Bobby Knight, P.J. Carlesimo, Bobby Cremins and John Thompson are not being considered.

Max Good, who took over Dec. 12 after the dismissal of Rebels coach Bill Bayno, isn't likely to receive serious consideration. Good wouldn't reveal the topic of his Monday meeting with Cavagnaro and senior associate AD Jerry Koloskie.

"I'm still here, doing my job," Good said. "Someone has to monitor (the players)."

Also Monday, Cavagnaro further addressed his 10-minute conversation with Pitino on Sunday night.

"As he said, he had concerns about his ability to recruit JC players," Cavagnaro said. "That was the main thing he spoke about when he said the job wasn't a good fit for him."

But Cavagnaro said Pitino angrily disputed reports that his wife Joanne did not enjoy herself last week on a two-day trip to Las Vegas to tour the university and look into homes.

"He said Joanne had a great time and that she was certainly well treated," Cavagnaro said. "He's upset people are saying she didn't have a good time. It's just not true."

Cavagnaro also denied that Pitino was scared away because UNLV has refused to settle Bayno's wrongful-termination claim. Two Rebels boosters claim that was precisely why Pitino backed off, saying he feared potential revelations in the case could lead NCAA investigators back to UNLV's doorstep.

Bayno had said he would file suit Monday in Clark County District Court, seeking $1.8 million for the remainder of his contract, but it will likely be filed today.

Kambala was joined on the first team by two Wyoming players -- guard Marcus Bailey and forward Josh Davis -- and two BYU players -- guard Terrell Lyday and forward Mikeli Wesley. The latter was named MWC player of the year in voting by the head coaches.

Utah coach Dick Hunsaker, standing in for Majerus, was coach of the year.