After much speculation — and a disappointing end to the season yesterday in the Mountain West Conference tournament, UNLV has parted ways with head coach Marvin Menzies, firing the much-maligned coach after just three seasons.
Menzies posted a career 48-48 record at UNLV and was let go this morning by athletic director Dr. Denise Reed-Francois. The move sent shockwaves throughout Las Vegas. Speculation about his job security ran rampant all season, especially after attendance dipped to its lowest since the Rollie Massimino era.
“If I’m not confident in where we’re headed, we need to make a change,” UNLV athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois said in her press conference.
Menzies was hired in 2016 after former coach Dave Rice was fired mid-season. The hiring followed a circus in arguably the most embarrassing moment in UNLV basketball history. Rice was fired midseason, UNLV was leveraged by Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin before the Rebels hired Chris Beard, who dipped for Texas Tech after running all but a few players off.
Menzies was brought in by former athletic director Tina Kuntzer-Murphy to bring back stability and hopefully get UNLV back to the NCAA Tournament for first time since 2013. He was also the first full-time African American coach to lead the program.
“I want someone who knows what success looks like,” Reed-Francois said. “Someone who is relentlessly committed. Basketball is in their blood. Figuring out how to run this program and be a part of this community.”
Fans took to social media to celebrate or pout, or gloat...
https://twitter.com/jasonvigil88/status/1106676578975543296
https://twitter.com/MisterVegas1957/status/1106694164094377985
https://twitter.com/brianbaja/status/1106710958305492992
https://twitter.com/JonSandler3/status/1106744953483362304
https://twitter.com/AlexPereszlenyi/status/1106674215493627904
https://twitter.com/charonbond/status/1106747804267864066
Even rival fans took note, even if for all the wrong reasons.
https://twitter.com/sdutzeigler/status/1106682804182482944
To replace Marvin Menzies, UNLV will begin a national search using Folger Consulting. Front runners for the job are led by former Ohio State coach Thad Matta, who unconfirmed rumors have as already sitting on an offer from UNLV, former NBA all-star Jason Kidd, Mike Miller and Fred Hoiberg.
Reed-Francois said UNLV has funding in place to make the next guy the highest-paid coach in the Mountain West. She also made it a point to thank Menzies for his time at UNLV.
"I want to thank Coach Menzies for calming the waters and building a strong foundation for our men's basketball program over the past three years," Reed-Francois said. "A change of this significance impacts many good people. It was not taken lightly. Ultimately, after a thoughtful and methodical review, I felt a new direction was necessary for the long term, best interests of the program and our athletics department. We wish Coach Menzies and his family all the best as their journey continues."
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