Tark still holding court

Friday, Nov. 25, 2005 | 7:55 a.m.

Jerry Tarkanian led UNLV to the NCAA national basketball championship in 1990 and forged a sterling 509-105 record in 19 seasons as Rebels coach.

For his achievements, the Thomas & Mack Center court will be dedicated to Tarkanian on Saturday night when UNLV hosts UNR.

Will "Jerry Tarkanian Court" be stenciled on both ends of the court where his Rebels ran and pressed into the nation's consciousness?

Not even Tark knows for sure.

"I imagine it will be something like that, (but) I don't know," he said. "(The administration) has been good about it, they really have. There will be something (tonight) and a reception or something Saturday. It'll make it a very, very nice event."

He retired from coaching in 2002 while at Fresno State, his alma mater. But his extended family, autograph tour for his recent book, three radio shows and a devotion to college football have kept the 75-year-old Tarkanian busy.

He has attended football games at Notre Dame, Texas, California and Fresno State, and he's gone to several NFL games in San Diego and one in Oakland.

Tarkanian talked to the Sun about Saturday's honor, the UNLV program, the city he still calls home, his contentious relationship with the NCAA and his own administration, and his legacy.

Q. What were your thoughts when you first heard about the court dedication?

I had been hearing for years that they'd do it. People kept saying it, but you just go on with your life. I never gave it much thought. But it's very nice, particularly because I have my whole family here in town, four kids and 10 grandchildren. That's a legacy for them.

Q: Will it help mitigate how your UNLV career ended?

I've gotten over all that stuff. When Charlie Spoonhour came here, I went to the games and totally supported Spoon. I love the university. Everywhere I go, that's what I'm attached to. In New York last week for a book signing, cab drivers and hotel people -- everyone -- said, "Hey, there's the UNLV coach." Nobody ever says anything about Fresno State.

Q: Who's the best player you ever coached?

The most valuable, because of the type of person he was, was Larry Johnson. He united everyone, always hugging everyone, praising everyone. Jeff Van Gundy called me when he was with the Knicks and said, "Tark, Larry is the ultimate team player in the NBA."

Q: Who's the best player you ever saw?

Bill Walton. When I was at Long Beach State, I watched all of his games. He just made a team. Whatever team he was on would be great.

Q: And the best team you coached against?

Maybe the greatest game any of our teams played was when we killed San Francisco in '77. It was 120-90 (actually 121-95), something incredible. They were top-ranked in the country, with Bill Cartwright ... they weren't in shape, like our guys. We pressed 'em and ran, and they couldn't run with us.

Q: What about UNLV's future with Lon Kruger?

Lonnie's a super guy, and (athletic director) Mike (Hamrick) and Brad Rothermel (special advisor to Hamrick), they're doing everything they can, I think, to build the program. They all tell me that Dr. Carol Harter (UNLV president) is totally supportive of what they're trying to do. When you have the president and A.D. supporting you and you have a good coach, I think the future is bright.

Q: And what about UNLV fans? Do you think they are as supportive?

Fans want to come out and support them, like when I was here. You couldn't get a ticket. We could have put 30,000 or 40,000 in the arena. At the (NCAA) tournament, hotel people always said they hoped they'd get us. Vegas people party in bars and in the lobby, and they tip so well.

Q: You spent the summer at your condo in San Diego?

Pacific Beach. You can't beat that. It's really fun down there. At Del Mar racetrack every Tuesday morning, we'd have a retired coaches' breakfast, but they weren't all retired. Bob Boyd, Pete Newell, Bobby Dye and Larry Eustachy attended, even Bill Frieder.

Q: What would you say is your greatest contribution to the game?

It hurt me more than anything -- my battle with the NCAA. It made them reform. Their rules and methods were unheard of. You couldn't believe that that could exist in America. But they've made a lot of changes, and most are for the better. But, also, no one played harder, or practiced harder, than we did. That's what made us popular around the country.

Q: Who will win it all this season?

Texas. Duke has all those great players and Mike (Krzyzewski) is a great coach. They'll be really good. But I really like Texas. That's my pick.

Q: When did you last pay for a meal in Las Vegas?

(Laughing.) I pay for meals all the time. But times have changed, you know?

Rob Miech can be reached at 259-4087 or at miech@lasvegassun.com.