UNLV basketball coach hiring time line

Friday, March 30, 2001 | 10:36 a.m.

Here are the noteworthy developments that led to Charlie Spoonhour's hiring as UNLV basketball coach:

Dec. 12 -- Coach Bill Bayno fired in aftermath of NCAA sanctions; assistant Max Good takes over as head coach without interim title.

Jan. 8 -- Rick Pitino resigns as coach/president of the Boston Celtics.

Jan. 9 -- Pitino confirms he has been in contact with UNLV officials and boosters.

Jan. 10 --No formal offer is made, but Pitino is told the UNLV job is his for the asking.

Jan. 11 -- Pitino says he'll visit Las Vegas, and that contract should be "easily workable."

Jan. 17 -- After backing out of his trip to Las Vegas, Pitino meets in Miami with Rebels AD Charlie Cavagnaro. They agree to meet again.

Jan. 29 -- Pitino acquaintances tell the Boston Herald he has lost interest in UNLV because of NCAA sanctions, arena availability and other issues.

Jan. 30 -- Pitino denies Herald report, but speculation grows that he's hanging on to UNLV as a fall-back job.

Feb. 9 -- Cavagnaro and UNLV president Carol Harter meet with Pitino in Los Angeles, offer him the job.

Feb. 27 -- Pitino's wife Joanne visits Las Vegas to tour the campus, meet with school officials and look at homes.

Feb. 28 -- Pitino says "nothing is imminent" regarding UNLV job.

March 4 -- Pitino turns down UNLV job.

March 8 -- Utah coach Rick Majerus declines to interview with UNLV.

March 12 -- Purdue coach Gene Keady jumps to top of UNLV's list, is coy about his interest.

March 14 -- Bayno agrees to $400,000 buyout of remaining contract.

March 19 -- UNLV pursues Maryland coach Gary Williams, but he denies interest.

March 21 -- Retired Saint Louis coach Charlie Spoonhour interviews with Cavagnaro and Harter. Ex-Tennessee coach Jerry Green also expresses interest.

March 27 -- Pitt coach Ben Howland wants to interview, but his AD Steve Pederson denies him permission.

March 28 -- Good interviews with Cavagnaro, but Spoonhour emerges as top candidate and accepts the job offer.

March 29 -- Spoonhour announced as 12th head coach in UNLV history.

-- Compiled by Steve Addy

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