Recruiting road beckons Hauck after UNLV’s long season ends
HONOLULU -- For a coach who just watched his football team get whipped 59-21 by Hawaii, UNLV's Bobby Hauck seemed awfully relaxed Saturday night at Aloha Stadium, casually chatting with media members who cover the Warriors.
Maybe he was consumed by the aloha spirit after arriving in Honolulu on Thursday, but more likely Hauck was relieved his first Rebels season was finally behind him and he could move forward.
So now the truly hard work begins for Hauck, and he can focus on recruiting for a class that probably will help determine whether he is able to turn around a program that hasn't posted a winning season in 10 years.
UNLV finished this season 2-11, and playing at Hawaii put Hauck and his staff a week behind in trying to meet recruits during the week and hosting prospects over the weekend.
"We were able to make calls," Hauck said. "It's a matter of getting face time and getting in homes and all of that."
Hauck's first UNLV recruiting season was a rush job because he was hired in late December.
Considering the circumstances, he put together what was considered a quality class, and eight of the 21 signees saw immediate action.
He has had a year to work on the current class but has only two recruiting weekends left before the Christmas break.
"We're good at the recruiting game," Hauck said. "I think our assistant coaches are great recruiters. We'll get on the road at 6 o'clock (this) morning. We'll catch up."
UNLV has no commitments, but that probably will change after this weekend when the Rebels welcome junior college recruits. The Rebels are expected to sign up to 10 junior college players.
"I'm really pleased with how kids and their parents are listening to us right now," Hauck said. "It's one thing to get them to listen to the sales pitch, but we've got to get them to buy the product.
''If last year is a gauge for that, I think we can be good," Hauck said.
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.
