UNLV announced Monday morning it will be parting ways with fifth-year head coach Tony Sanchez, effective at the end of the season. The move will be looked at as either a recipe for disaster or a stroke of genius as the Rebels head into their season finale at Reno in the Battle for the Fremont Canon, with fans split on whether it helps or hurts the team heading into the rivalry game.

Sanchez, who comprised a 19-40 career record with UNLV, was told Friday about the decision prior to the team’s dramatic 38-35 come-from-behind win over San Jose State in the final UNLV game ever Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium. Sanchez finishing the season gives former Bishop Gorman coach one last shot at UNR and a chance to retain the cannon for UNLV.

“We appreciate everything that Tony has done for our university and football program,” Director of Athletics Desiree Reed-Francois said. “He made us better. Because of his work and his vision, we have the best facilities in the Mountain West and rival some of the best in the country.

“What he has done for the football community in Las Vegas during his five years at UNLV and his six years at Bishop Gorman High School has been remarkable. Further, our football team has made great progress academically under Tony’s leadership. We wish him and his family all the best in the future.”

A collected Sanchez faced the media Monday afternoon, thankful for his experience at UNLV while showing a great deal of class on his way out.

“I’m grateful for my time here and proud of the strides we made as a football program, on and off the field,” Sanchez said. “I’m proud of our student-athletes and our staff and how we have positioned the program for future success. I look forward to finishing the season strong with these young men. I would also like to thank our community, our alumni and our donors for their generous support in making the Fertitta Football Complex a reality.”

While UNLV struggled under Sanchez, especially on the defensive side of the football, his record isn’t indicative of the impact his presence made in the oft-struggling program. Sanchez became just the third UNLV football head coach to win the Fremont Cannon and just the second to defeated UNR twice during his tenure as head coach. His fundraising efforts led to the construction of the state-of-the-art $34 million Fertitta Football Complex, which opened on campus earlier this fall.

Sanchez had a huge impact off the football field

In addition to his football impact, UNLV achieved record success in the classroom, including posting the highest semester and cumulative grade point averages in program history last year. The team also earned the most academic all-conference honorees and Dean’s List members in football program history.

“I’m disappointed that I’m not going to get a chance to continue on,” Sanchez said. “This is not something I wanted, but in competitive Division I athletics, it’s part of the life. So my legacy here? I don’t know. That’s not for me to say. All I know is I showed up to work every day, worked as hard as I could. We made a difference.”

Fans seemed much more accepting of the move, as opposed to the cantankerous spring firing of UNLV basketball coach Marvin Menzies. This one seemed more like an inevitability as opposed to a question mark. Reed-Francois has been clear that this season was Bowl-or-Bust for the coaching staff.

Thanks Tony, we really appreciate what you have done for UNLV football 🏈 wish you the best of luck with your future. pic.twitter.com/3du8YXI2a3 — Denny Kevish (@DennyKevish) November 25, 2019

Interesting that UNLV and Sanchez announce they are parting ways BEFORE the big rivalry game on Saturday. The guy never should have been hired in the first place. If Gerry Faust couldn't make the jump why would we think Sanchez could do it. GO PACK — Darrell Moody (@775Moody) November 26, 2019

@DRFrancois1 delivers on her promise during the week of thanksgiving. I’ll say it, she’s heartless! But it was time. Kenny is next! Hope my Rebels and Gorman find a great replacement. pic.twitter.com/Pmu8cUak5N — Steven Goode (@UNLVRebelFan_1) November 25, 2019

The search for Sanchez’s replacement began immediately

Because the announcement came so early, the search can begin immediately as opposed to waiting until season’s end under a lame duck coach. Reed-Francois laid out her expectations for what will be a signature hire as UNLV’s athletic director during her presser yesterday at the Fertitta Football Complex.

UNLV AD Desiree Reed-Francois lays out the search for the next UNLV football coach. pic.twitter.com/kg4OoC9I41 — ESPN 1100/100.9 FM (@ESPNLasVegas) November 25, 2019

Some fans have low expectations for the next hire, blaming UNLV’s inability to go all-in and spend the money to bring in the kind of name that could break the years of football futility. With a $2 billion home stadium and a $34 million practice facility, the job may be more coveted than year’s past.

UNLV fans…. please don’t get your hopes up for a well established coach, we have seen this rerun over and over again. Until UNLV admin gets serious and commits to athletics, it will be rinse, wash, repeat. Not saying it won’t happen, but won’t be surprised if it doesn’t — Brett Parry (@BParry19) November 25, 2019

#UNLV can not afford to make another weird hire. They need a hire that will energize the program moving forward. Mora, Nutt, and the others mentioned are not energizing. Jay Hill or Willie Taggart know about building programs. That is what the Rebels need. Retreads won't do it. — Scott Bilo (@BiloRatedSports) November 26, 2019

Who’s up next as UNLV Football’s next head coach?

Some of the names being passed around to succeed Sanchez include Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, USC’s Clay Helton, Weber State’s Jay Hill, Cal offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin, LSU offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Hawaii’s Nick Rolovich and a wide list of FCS winners.

No, Urban Meyer is not coming to Las Vegas fans. Salary will be an issue but Reed-Francois did concede she is looking to make the salary comparable to the top third of the Mountain West’s largest salaries. She already made UNLV basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger the highest paid coach in the conference this past spring, so it’s entirely possible she secures the funds and lands a whale.

Desiree Reed-Francois says she wants the salary for the next UNLV head coach to be “competitive” within the Mountain West. The top four coaches in the Mountain West make $1.6 million or more per year. — Tyler Bischoff (@Bischoff_Tyler) November 25, 2019

Hoping to avoid the sh*tshow that was the some of media coverage in the basketball hiring, Reed-Francois will be keeping this search on the down-low. While many fans would prefer transparency, this has been her M.O. Speculation is bound to run rampant for the next few weeks as she makes her decision. It took her roughly two weeks to replace Menzies in the spring, which should be about the same timeline considering the early signing period for football makes December a vital recruiting month for any coach.

With that said, my inbox already has been hit with multiple “sources” saying it’ll be Sarkisian, Lane Kiffin, and even local Liberty High School Richard Muraco. We’ll go ahead and sit this one out since last time, everyone had Rick Pitino then Thad Matta confirmed as the new head basketball coach. If Reed-Francois has shown anything, she has shown the local sports coverage scene it won’t know until she wants them to know.

So, buckle up, UNLV football fans. The next two weeks should be a fantastic display of “unnamed sources” and “inside information” from a host of social media bloggers. This writer, on the other hand, prefers to sit back and wait for the hard news to come in while mocking those who choose to continue their quest to report fiction for clout.

When we know, we’ll know.

Until then? Enjoy the speculative names, the wannabe “crack reportering” and wonder what might be as UNLV makes its biggest hire in program history.

I'm so looking forward to the next few weeks of unnamed sources and their inside info on who will get the UNLV football job. Which names will be this search's "Rick Pitino" and "Thad Matta?"#UNLV #UNLVfb #UNLVfootball #coachingsearch #sources — Kevin Fiddler (@KFidds) November 25, 2019