UNLV hires Florida assistant as defensive coordinator

UNLV has lured Tim Skipper back to the Mountain West to be the Rebels’ defensive coordinator, a source close to the football program said.

Coach Tony Sanchez had no comment regarding the hire. He probably won’t comment until an official announcement is made.

Skipper, 39, most recently was an assistant at Florida, where he coached linebackers last season and running backs in 2015 and 2016.

He has experience with Mountain West programs, serving as Colorado State’s linebackers coach from 2012 to 2014, including as assistant head coach his final two seasons. Skipper also was at Fresno State, coaching running backs from 2006 to 2008 and serving as the run defense coordinator and linebackers coach from 2009 to 2011. He also was the interim defensive coordinator in the final three games.

Attempts to reach Skipper were unsuccessful.

Sanchez still has two openings on his staff, and has said he would address defense and special teams. Those openings include the 10th assistant, which the NCAA began allowing Jan. 9.

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Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.