Coach’s faith helps him through

Friday, Nov. 24, 2006 | 7:05 a.m.

What: UNLV vs. Air Force

Where: Sam Boyd Stadium

When: 4:05 today

Tickets: $13 and up; 739-3267, online at unlvtickets.com and at UNLV ticket outlets at all Station and Fiesta casinos and the Galleria at Sunset mall

There is no mistaking the importance of faith in Mike Sanford's life. Evidence of his spirituality, including a well-worn Bible on his desk and a football helmet sporting a Fellowship of Christian Athletes logo, dot his corner office in the Lied Athletic Complex.

But for Sanford, whose Rebels are 1-10 this season and riding a 10-game losing streak going into today's season finale at home against Air Force, these are the times that try this man's soul.

"When you're going through tough times, it does test your faith," Sanford said. "It tests you in a lot of ways.

"I think when you're going through tough times ... you've got a choice: You can either give in and say 'woe is me' or you can fight back and say this is happening for a reason. It's going to create qualities in me and make me a better person, make us a better team, and as a result of this there will be better days ahead for this football program and for this team."

It is his faith, Sanford said, that keeps him coming to work everyday and putting in the long hours in the belief that he will turn around a football program that has had only one winning season since 1994 and is 3-19 since Sanford took over prior to last season.

"I'm disappointed and frustrated (by this season), but at the same time, because of my faith, I'm able to deal with it and realize there are better days ahead," he said.

"That's obviously a personal choice for each person, and I've got to make sure that I'm not forcing my beliefs on other people. But that's one of the things that helps me to be able to deal with this situation because I think there's hope. I think there's something good ahead."

While Sanford said he is careful not to force his beliefs on his players or assistants, he believes religion can make a difference in a young man's life. He has added Dean McQuillan, Nevada director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, to his staff as the team's "inspiration and character coach" or chaplain.

Sanford is quick to point out that he realizes the reason he was hired at UNLV is to win football games, and that remains a priority.

"My job is the head football coach at UNLV, and I take that job very seriously," he said. "I am expected to win, and I expect to win. I have very high goals for this program, and I expect (to achieve those goals).

"The side story or subplot to that is that I am who I am, and I'm going to deal with the situation with the priorities and the perspective that my faith gives me."