The agenda for the Jan. 11 meeting of the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents includes an item for the review and possible approval of the University of Nevada’s next head football coach. A finalist candidate has not yet been identified; however, the national search is under way and moving quickly, and University President Marc Johnson and Director of Athletics Cary Groth have expressed their desire to identify a finalist candidate for presentation at the Jan. 11 meeting.
“This is a critical hire and with the football recruiting season under way we need to act quickly,” said University President Marc Johnson.
The hiring of a head football coach at an NSHE institution is subject to approval by the Board of Regents. The agenda notice for their Jan. 11 meeting, which was previously scheduled, is available at the NSHE web site, http://system.nevada.edu/
“Wolf Pack football is a celebrated program with a great history, and the program’s continued progress and loyal fan base make this a desirable opportunity. We are seeing strong interest in the head coach position and it is my hope that a finalist candidate with the right energy and experience will be identified next week,” he continued. “While we are moving quickly, we are also firmly focused on making the right decision for our program, University and community.”
“This is an important and exciting time for Wolf Pack football,” said Groth. “The program has strong momentum with great student-athletes returning for the 2013 season. Our next head coach will have the opportunity to build on a very solid foundation and lead Wolf Pack football into its second year in the Mountain West Conference.”
Johnson and Groth are collaborating on the search process which follows the Dec. 28 announcement of Chris Ault to step down after 28 seasons in the head coach role. Ault was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002 and finished his career ranked third among active NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision coaches with a career record of 233-109-1. Ault also served as Nevada’s athletics director from 1986-2004.
