Augmon turns down NBA’s Bobcats, remains assistant at UNLV
After briefly flirting with a return to the NBA, Stacey Augmon reaffirmed his commitment to the UNLV coaching staff.
Augmon recently rejected an offer to join first-year Charlotte Bobcats coach Mike Dunlap's staff and will return for a second season under Rebels coach Dave Rice.
"Stacey called Coach Dunlap and Michael Jordan and said he's staying at UNLV," Rice said Saturday.
Jordan is the majority owner of the Bobcats, the worst team in the NBA last season at 7-59. Charlotte started its rebuilding process by hiring Dunlap, a former St. John's assistant, on June 18.
Augmon played 15 years in the NBA, including one season with the Charlotte Hornets in 2001-02. He spent four years as a Denver Nuggets assistant for player development, coaching on a staff that included Dunlap.
"I've known Stacey since high school, and I love Stacey," Dunlap said. "We were together in Denver, and we talked about him joining us in Charlotte. But he told me he has decided to remain at UNLV. He's a legendary figure there, and I respect his decision completely."
Rice and Augmon, UNLV teammates on the 1990 NCAA championship team and 1991 Final Four team, were reunited after Rice was hired as the Rebels' coach in April 2011.
In their first year coaching together, Rice and Augmon helped guide the Rebels to a 26-9 record and a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament. UNLV just hauled in one of its top recruiting classes in program history.
Augmon, who has been on the road recruiting for the Rebels in recent weeks, was unavailable for comment.
"It has been a special year for me. I'm taking it as a long journey," Augmon said in March. "I'm going to be here awhile with Coach Dave and just take this program to the next level."
Rice expressed relief that his original staff, which includes associate head coach Justin Hutson and assistant Heath Schroyer, remains intact.
Review-Journal reporter Steve Carp contributed to this story. Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247.
