Koloskie interested in taking over as AD

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, May 22, 2003 | 9:38 a.m.

Loyal soldier.

Right-hand man.

The real athletic director.

Those are all terms that have been used to describe UNLV senior associate athletic director Jerry Koloskie over the past few years. Now a 21-year veteran of the Rebels athletic department, Koloskie began his career as a basketball trainer for Jerry Tarkanian and then slowly worked his way up the administrative ladder, is hopeful of adding another phrase to his resume: UNLV athletic director.

Koloskie, who was John Robinson's top aide the past 17 months, said he will apply for the now vacant AD job.

"A couple of years ago if you had asked me if I was interested in applying I probably wouldn't have said yes," Koloskie said. "But I feel I've worked very hard during that time to put myself into a position to be a candidate for an athletic director's job. I'd be very honored to be the athletic director here and I am interested in the job."

UNLV President Dr. Carol C. Harter is expected to appoint a selection screening committee in the next couple of weeks to narrow down the list of potential candidates to replace Robinson, who stepped down on Tuesday to concentrate on his duties as head football coach and also to spend more time with his ill wife, Linda.

Koloskie called Tuesday's annoucement by Robinson "a very up and down day for me.

"I can't tell you how much I enjoyed working for Coach Robinson," Koloskie said. "I really was disappointed to see him step down. It's been fun for me to be able to work with him. He leaves a big void."

It's a void Koloskie would like to attempt to fill. But he says no matter who is hired to replace Robinson, he will stand by the decision that eventually will be made by Harter.

"Dr. Harter has been extremely helpful for me and has also been a great supporter of mine," Koloskie said. "I know she'll make the best decision for UNLV. That's also the most important thing for me. Regardless if I'm the person or not, I just want what is best for UNLV. It's such a great place and I want to see it to continue to get better."

Koloskie was asked if he was disappointed that he wasn't named interim athletic director while the search goes on. Harter gave that title to Fred Albrecht, UNLV's vice president for university and community relations, instead.

"No, I wasn't disappointed," Koloskie said. "Dr. Harter explained the reasons for that decision to me beforehand. She wanted someone at a cabinet level position to handle the job and I understand that. I've got a very good relationship with Fred and we'll work well together to get through the transfer. Given the circumstances and the way it was explained to me, I'm very comfortable with that decision."