Pitino eyes UNLV assistant

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, April 13, 2005 | 9:08 a.m.

Lon Kruger is expected to wrap up his 2005 recruiting class with the addition of two more players today as the spring signing period begins.

Now the second-year Rebel head coach may have to turn his attention to wooing another assistant coach. Kruger confirmed a Sportsline.com report that Louisville head coach Rick Pitino is considering UNLV assistant Marvin Menzies, a highly regarded recruiter in Southern California, as a possible replacement for ex-Rebel Reggie Theus, who left the Cardinals earlier this month to become the head coach at New Mexico State.

"There have been conversations with Rick about (Menzies)," Kruger said. "But Rick is talking to a lot of guys. Nothing is going to happen for a while, though, if it does."

Pitino is also reportedly considering Manhattan assistant Stephen Masiello among others for the vacancy.

Menzies, who came to UNLV after spending one year at USC, could not be reached for comment.

He was instrumental in the recruitment of one of the Rebels' top fall signings, 6-foot-8 forward Davon Jefferson of Lynwood, Calif. The Rebels, who also signed standout point guard Javon Adams of Houston, 6-foot-7 swingman Joe Darger of Riverton, Utah, 6-foot-8 forward Gaston Essengue of Weatherford (Texas) College and athletic 6-foot-6 forward Wendell White of Antelope Valley (Calif.) College during the early signing period, are expected to receive letters of intent from 6-foot-4 guard Jason Petrimoulx of Dixie State College in St. George, Utah, and 6-foot-8 power forward Jerome Johnson of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., today.

It had been reported that the Rebels would also sign a third player this spring, 6-foot-8 forward Maurice Thomas of Philadelphia Lutheran Academy. However, sources close to the program said the school had decided to withdraw its scholarship offer to Thomas.

NCAA rules prohibit Kruger from commenting about recruits until they officially sign. UNLV still has two scholarships available but isn't expected to use them until next year unless a top-notch transfer becomes available.