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UNLV Basketball: Why T.J. Otzelberger is the right man for the head coaching job

By Jason Burgess

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 22: Pyrotechnics shoot from the hands of UNLV Rebels mascot Hey Reb before the team's game against the New Mexico Lobos at the Thomas & Mack Center on January 22, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Rebels defeated the Lobos 74-58. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 22: Pyrotechnics shoot from the hands of UNLV Rebels mascot Hey Reb before the team's game against the New Mexico Lobos at the Thomas & Mack Center on January 22, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Rebels defeated the Lobos 74-58. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 16: Head coach T.J. Otzelberger of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits reacts in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 16, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – MARCH 16: Head coach T.J. Otzelberger of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits reacts in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 16, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

UNLV Basketball announced on Wednesday the hiring of South Dakota State coach T. J. Otzelberger as their next head coach. Some fans don’t like it, but he is the right man for the job.

It may not be the name fans envisioned to be the next head coach of the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels, but T.J. Otzelberger has been the one chosen to lead the program. If you peruse social media, it would seem the most vocal fans are not happy with the hire and part of that is the fault of Athletic Director Desiree Reed-Francois who told fans the school was looking for a candidate that would stand out in a room with Jon Gruden, referring to the Oakland Raiders head coach and the team’s impending move to Las Vegas.

This upcoming season will mark the 30th anniversary of the team’s 1990 National Championship season and fans have been wanting and waiting for the program to get back to that elite level. In the 30 years since UNLV has a total of three wins in the NCAA Tournament and have gone through a myriad of coaches trying to find a way to relive the glory days. In those glory days, the UNLV basketball program was an experience, much in the way that University of Miami football was an experience. But those days are long gone and it’s time to concentrate on getting the program headed in the right direction.

While trying to get back to that elite level, the program needs to also separate itself from those days and forge its own, new identity. But it’s not just the program that needs to move on, the fans will always have the memories of those years, but it’s time to move on and support the program moving forward, led by Otzelberger.