UNLV assistant in mix for top job at WIU

Monday, April 14, 2003 | 9:40 a.m.

UNLV assistant basketball coach Derek Thomas might receive the biggest opportunity of his career, the top job at Western Illinois, this week.

Thomas met with Dr. Tim Van Alstine, the Western Illinois athletic director, and other Leathernecks officials in Macomb, Ill., over the weekend.

"I thought it went well," Thomas said. "I did get my points across."

Former Alabama-Birmingham coach Murray Bartow is continuing his interview process through today. Thomas was told a decision would be made by the end of the week.

Thomas also appears to be on the "B" list for the opening at Cleveland State, created by Rollie Massimino's firing, but he has not spoken in person with key decision-makers in Cleveland.

Former Wyoming and Clemson coach Larry Shyatt and Alabama assistant Orlando Early are considered the front-runners at Cleveland State. IUPUI coach Ron Hunter already has removed himself from consideration for that post.

"Well, I'm in the final two. I know that much," Thomas said of Western Illinois. "The other one (in Cleveland), they put me in the mix but I don't think I'm in the top two. That's kind of, basically, where everything's at."

Thomas, 36, has been with the Rebels since Charlie Spoonhour took over the program two years ago. Point guard Marcus Banks, among others, has credited Thomas for much of his improvement at UNLV.

Thomas is from Kansas City, Mo. His father, Emmitt, played for the Kansas City Chiefs for 13 years and is the defensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons. He and his wife, Julie, have three young daughters.