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Sam Morris / Sun File Photo
Former UNLV quarterback and NFL star Randall Cunningham talks to young fans before the start of UNLV’s game against Utah on Oct. 17, 2009, at Sam Boyd Stadium. Cunnigham recently joined the Silverado High football coaching staff as offensive coordinator.
Monday, Dec. 14, 2009 | 3:28 p.m.
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Silverado coach Andy Ostolaza has wanted an efficient passing attack to complement the school's power run game for the last two years.
Ostolaza now has some help to make sure that happens in 2010.
Former UNLV great and 16-year NFL veteran quarterback Randall Cunningham has taken over as Silverado's offensive coordinator.
"It's rare to see a guy that's had the success he's had in his career want to put it in the time for this," Ostolaza said. "Obviously, he'll bring expertise to the offense. He's an icon in Las Vegas, so a lot of people who are from here know who he is. The kids came in and that's all they've been talking about."
Cunningham said he approached Ostolaza about coaching shortly after his son, incoming freshman quarterback Randall Cunningham II, decided to attend high school at Silverado instead of Bishop Gorman.
Cunningham this year coached his son's youth team, which was composed mostly of kids from Silverado.
"We were really heavy on Gorman, but a lot of the kids on my team were going to Silverado," Cunningham said. "If I sent my son off into the beautiful sunset to Gorman, I'd be leaving a lot of kids behind."
Cunningham has big plans for the Skyhawks next season. He said he would implement a balanced offense relying heavily on NFL schemes and techniques.
Cunningham said game planning against Silverado would be a nightmare for opposing coaches.
"On offense, you aren't going to know what we're doing," Cunningham said. "It's not going to be easy to scout.
"We're going to take kids and teach them things they learn in the NFL."
Ostolaza said he remembered attending UNLV games with his parents and being in awe of Cunningham more than 20 years ago. As a Rebel, Cunningham threw for 59 touchdowns and more than 8,000 yards.
He followed that with an NFL career where he totaled nearly 30,000 passing yards and more than 200 touchdowns.
Now, Cunningham's sole football focus is on the high school level.
"I'm really, really excited because I took a lot of time to think in my heart what I wanted to do," Cunningham said. "It's pretty amazing the outpouring support of parents wanting to move into the Silverado zone."
Cunningham is set to get to work immediately. He was on the Silverado campus Monday.
Although the Skyhawks missed the playoffs this year, Cunningham sees great potential for the future.
"When I think of the Silverado zone, there are a lot of big kids over here and a lot of fast kids over here," he said. "I think the most important thing for Andy, myself and the coaching staff is getting these kids into college."
I think he sould coach the qb's at unlv!
unlv football lost cause. let save school money cancel the football
I know where i'm moving... my kid will be attending Silverado now.
Offensive coordinator? the school district has enough money to have those positions in High School football? Randall is awesome but what about the budget cuts in the school district,or is it a volunteer thing,or is he on the teaching staff too?
I went to a high school in Texas that had this opportunity. A growing school district where most of the kids that eventually played for the Garland Owls played together for all of their school years. We all thought in the same patterns. Unfortunately my family moved away before I could play. What the heck, in the 60's that was the way. The Garland Owls dominated Texas 4a ball for several years which is tough to do. If Randall pulls it off and follows to UNLV and has a backup at Silverado then the sky is the limit. It isn't always about money, it is about heart, effort, opportunity, guts and training.
What a great guy, and the school could definitely use him. I'm shocked he's not a head coach though.
And Alphamale...a little something that only you and I will get here: Go Colonels! :) (Small world)
Randall is taking the job so his kid can be the team quarterback
Every high school team has an offensive coordinator, so cost shouldn't be an issue. I'd imagine he's making the standard salary. He's not taking the position to get rich.
As far as coaching QBs at UNLV, I'm not sure that would be a good idea. I loved Randall (even as a punter), but he had pretty poor fundamentals. A slow release with an awfully long windup, but his athletic skills allowed him to overcome those weaknesses. Lesser athletes, who he'd be teaching, would not be so lucky.
For that matter, apparently he had poor punting fundamentals too, but again, he was such a phenomenal athlete, he was still a great punter.
Merely an example of jockacracy in action. Howard Cosell coined the word nearly 30 years ago to describe the sports oriented nepotism that has become more and more prevalent. But really, I can't blame Randall for trying to set his son up for an athletic scholarship at a major university, a potential big payday in the NFL, and a life of priviledge.
Do you really think he is doing it for money! Ha. Coaches in Las Vegas are the worst paid in the nation. He might receive a 500 dollar stipend.
Howard Cosell wasn't talking about athletes becoming coaches, but rather becoming part of the media. Those are two completely different skill sets.
Who else but an ex-athlete would you expect to become a coach? And I'd think 16 years of NFL experience would make him more than qualified to be a coordinator at the high school level.
head coaches have to be educators for the school district.
If anyone has ever had a child in organized sports especially football and baseball, the Dad who coaches usually does so because thier son is either the pitcher or quarterback. (reality check)
All the players will benefit from his experience and willingness to teach the game. This is a selfless man who dedicates his life to God and young men.
His son has talent, the envy is so blatant to suggest a life of privelage for his child when he already lives a wonderful life, blessed with a loving family and respect for people.
Randall Cunningham was great at UNLV. I wish him all the luck. IF he wants to stay in coaching, he will clearly not be at Silverado for very long
For Randall Cuningham questions about his possible teaching and coaching credent arise:
1) What is his salary?
2) He currently is an active minister, so when and where really did he teach? He was a profootballer, then went to a church seminary and is now an active preacher?
3) In 1976 Bonanza had a head coach who utilized a former NFL player as an assitant coach or coordinator. Both men were fired because of some violation of Nevada Athletic League Rules.
4) What gives here? If he is not a fully licensed and certified teacher what is he doing coaching...is this another 'juice job' situation?
Randall Cunningham is a good man, I am not opposed to him coaching in public schools. I am concerned that we have no more 'juice jobs' as was the case with one individual who was a custodian, then a coach and becaue a quasi administrator. Come to find out this person stole student atheletic moneys....
'Juice' in this district means that someone has connections and 'knows someone who knows someone' who can manuever in and around the district. Is this another 'juice job' or is he a legitimate certidied (licensed) educator?