Tuesday, November 05, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Coach reprimanded for bolting

UNLV football assistant left game to attend fight

By MARK ANDERSON
REVIEW-JOURNAL

UNLV assistant head coach John Jackson will have a letter of reprimand placed in his personnel file because he left the Rebels' football game to attend a boxing match Saturday, head coach/athletic director John Robinson said.

Jackson left Sam Boyd Stadium with about three minutes to play in the fourth quarter of UNLV's 49-48 overtime win over Wyoming.

The Rebels led 42-34 when Jackson left, but the Cowboys scored a late touchdown and 2-point conversion to force overtime at 42-42. UNLV won in the first overtime period.

Jackson, who oversees the Rebels' running game, left because he is also the promoter for featherweight Marco Antonio Barrera, who fought Johnny Tapia at the MGM Grand on Saturday night.

Robinson said Jackson has apologized for departing early.

"He made a bad decision in leaving just as the game was about to conclude," Robinson said Monday. "He and I talked about it. He called me that night. We will have a proper action that we take there."

Robinson referred to Jackson as "the best coach I've ever been around, and I think (running backs) Steve Costa and Joe Haro will fight you in a second if you ever said anything bad about (him)."

Indeed, Costa defended Jackson on Monday.

"We knew he had his fight that night, and we have confidence in his decision-making," Costa said. "He's the best coach I've ever had as far as individually for running backs.

"He's always been straightforward with us and honest and tells us what's going on."

Jackson declined to comment Monday.

Douglas Seastrand, state Board of Regents chairman, said the matter does not fall under the board's domain.

"That goes outside our scope," he said.

But Seastrand questioned Jackson's other involvement.

"The only other issue with somebody working full time for a university, should they (be involved in) something like boxing?" he said.

Jackson, a state employee, makes a salary of $119,600.

The issue won't be a concern to the NCAA, according to Eric Toliver, UNLV's associate athletic director for compliance.

Regent Thomas Kirkpatrick said the matter points out the complications of Robinson serving as coach as well as athletic director.

"I think this is an instance that would do well to have an athletic director and a coach because of checks and balances," Kirkpatrick said. "I've been saying that, and that's not to say Robinson isn't capable. I've always had doubts (about the dual role).

"(The matter with Jackson is) an internal problem that needs to be settled. It's a damn good thing UNLV won."

• NOTES -- Quarterback Jason Thomas was named Offensive Player of the Week by the Mountain West for his performance against Wyoming. He completed 20 of 25 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 58 yards and three TDs. ...

Defensive end Chris Eagen (concussion) and cornerback Chameion Sutton (shoulder) are questionable for Saturday's 4 p.m. game at Utah. Defensive end Ahmad Briggs (shoulder) is possible, and offensive guard Tony Terrell (ankle) and cornerback Daniel Jones (hamstring) are probable. ... UNLV's Nov. 16 home game against Air Force will be at noon, and aired on KFBT (Channel 33, Cable 6).