In spite of a horrific record, he got a contract extension just a year ago. From AP-
UNLV has fired football coach Mike Sanford after five losing seasons, a 15-43 record and no bowl appearances.
Sanford’s firing comes after a 45-17 loss to Air Force on Saturday made the Rebels ineligible for a bowl game.
In a joint statement, university president Neal Smatresk and interim athletic director Jerry Koloskie said Sanford will coach the final game of the season at home against San Diego State on the Nov. 28.
“We agree this action is needed at this time,” Smatresk said.
Sanford, 54, will be paid a $225,000 buyout, under terms of a three-year contract extension the coach signed last year.
Yet another case of a University paying for someone not to work. When can I get a job like this?
He won’t be on the sideline for the Lobos game against UNLV.
New Mexico coach Mike Locksley won’t be on the sidelines when his team plays UNLV later this month, part of a 10-day suspension issued Tuesday as punishment for his role in a fight with an assistant coach.
“I’m the leader of the team and my staff,” Locksley said. “I should have used better judgment. I showed poor leadership and I won’t let it happen again. I’ve learned some harsh lessons, lessons that I feel will make me a better leader.”
Locksley initially had been reprimanded. Athletic director Paul Krebs said during a news conference the coach won’t be allowed to have any contact with the team until Oct. 25, one day after UNLV visits Albuquerque. The Lobos have a bye this week.
Locksley also will be required to attend conflict resolution training.
Defensive backs coach George Barlow will serve as an interim coach.
The UNLV game could amount to a tryout for Barlow. The Lobos are 0-6 under Locksley in addition to bringing scandal to the school’s athletic program. That is not a good combination at all for job security.
One bit of good news for Locksley. The sexual harassment complaint filed against him and the University has been resolved.
He played for the Knicks and Nuggets during the 70’s and 80’s. More recently he worked as announcer for his alma mater UNLV. RIP.
Former UNLV basketball star Glen Gondrezick, who later played for the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets before turning to broadcasting, has died. He was 53.
School officials and close friend Bobby Gleason said Gondrezick died Monday at St. Rose Hospital in Henderson, Nev., after apparent complications from a heart transplant that he received last September.
“From what the doctors told us, the body just rejected the heart,” Gleason said. “Gondo never gave up. The heart did.”
Gondrezick starred on the Rebels’ Final Four team in 1977, and his jersey No. 25 was retired by the program in 1997. He ranks 16th on the school’s career scoring list with 1,311 points, and his 831 rebounds rank ninth.
“He was only 6-foot-6. The hustle is what made him,” said former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian. “He would dive on the floor. He would take charges. If they kept that stat, he would have led the nation in taking charges.
“He was a fierce competitor and a very loyal guy. I’m going to miss him so much.”
Gondrezick played for the Knicks and Nuggets from 1977 to 1983, and later spent 17 years doing color commentary on UNLV basketball broadcasts.
