Stacey Augmon’s campaign for UNLV job supported by ad in RJ

Supporters of UNLV legend Stacey Augmon’s effort to become the next Rebels basketball coach took out a full-page advertisement in today’s Review-Journal.

The ad states it was paid for by “Rebels for Success,” and former teammates Larry Johnson and Greg Anthony are quoted.

“Stacey is an obvious choice,” Johnson said. “You can’t put a value on what Stacey Augmon means to UNLV, but more than that, and more importantly, he knows the game as well as anyone.”

Added Anthony: “No player has had more impact on UNLV basketball than Stacey Augmon. Period. The end. He symbolizes what the program is all about. I have the utmost respect for him as a human being and can’t think of a stronger person to go into homes of prospective student-athletes and sell UNLV to parents. More importantly, he knows the game as well as anyone.”

Augmon has been on UNLV’s staff the past five seasons. He expressed his interest in the position in a lengthy interview a month ago with Review-Journal sports columnist Ed Graney.

The Rebels have been searching for a coach since Dave Rice was fired Jan. 10 and replaced by Todd Simon on an interim basis. Simon also hopes to be considered for the position.

Several national names have been mentioned as potential candidates, including former UCLA and St. John’s coach Steve Lavin, Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon, New Mexico State coach Marvin Menzies and Stephen F. Austin coach Brad Underwood.

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65