UNLV hires Colorado defensive coordinator

To find its new defensive coordinator, UNLV first-year football coach Tony Sanchez reached out to a coordinator coaching at a Pac-12 Conference school.

Sanchez found one in Colorado’s Kent Baer, who was hired Monday. Baer, who has an extensive background as a defensive coordinator, also will oversee the linebackers.

He will bring Andy LaRussa from Colorado, who will be the Rebels’ safeties coach and special teams coordinator. LaRussa has experience at UNLV, having served as a graduate assistant from 2005 to 2008.

The new hires complete Sanchez’s staff.

“I’m excited about this staff because of the years of experience and also the success that they’ve had in their careers,” Sanchez said in a statement. “Bringing this group of gentlemen in not only gives us excellent football coaches but also great mentors to our kids and people who will represent this University in a positive way. I couldn’t be more excited about the staff and their commitment to my vision and the vision of UNLV and where we’re moving. They are going to help us build UNLV Football into a winning program.”

Baer was under contract with the Buffaloes through the 2015 season. He signed a three-year deal in May 2013, a contract that paid him more than $450,000 annually, according to the Boulder (Colo.) Daily Camera.

Under Colorado state law, a school can offer only six multiyear contracts, and Baer had one of them. According to the Daily Camera, Baer’s buyout for leaving this year is $200,000 he would owe Colorado. Whether he would pick up the tab or UNLV would handle the payment could be negotiated, if it wasn’t already.

Money was a big topic when Sanchez was hired nearly two weeks ago. UNLV hasn’t released details of the assistants’ contracts or said whether outside money was needed to pay the veteran staff. Last week, Sanchez said he took less money in salary — $500,000 annually over four years — to help pay for his staff.

It’s a staff with a set of impressive resumes.

Baer, 63, has been a defensive coordinator not only at Colorado the past two seasons, but also at San Jose State (2010-2012), Washington (2005-2007), Notre Dame (2002-2004), Stanford (1999-2001), Arizona State (1992-1994), California (1987-1991), Idaho (1986) and Utah State (1983-1985).

Colorado, which is undergoing a rebuilding effort, gave up averages of 39.0 points and 461.0 yards per game this season. The Buffaloes allowed 38.3 and 468.0 averages in 2013, but they improved in 12 statistical areas.

LaRussa, 34, was at Colorado the past two seasons as its defensive ends coach. He previously coached cornerbacks and worked with special teams at San Jose State in 2011 and 2012 and at Northern Arizona in 2009 and 2010.

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