LAS VEGAS - December 23, 2009 - Bobby Hauck, the winningest coach in NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), has been hired as the 10th head coach in Rebel football history, UNLV Director of Athletics Jim Livengood announced Wednesday.
Hauck (pronounced HOWK) has spent the last seven seasons as the record-setting head coach of the University of Montana where he compiled an overall record of 80-17, including leading the Grizzlies to three national championship games in Division I FCS formerly I-AA). The winningest coach in Big Sky Conference history, Hauck earned at least a share of the league's title all seven years at Montana en route to compiling a record of 47-6. The recent numbers are even more impressive as his records in the last four seasons are 51-6 overall and 31-1 in conference play.
"Bobby brings a tremendous record of success to UNLV, and we are pleased to welcome him to the University," said UNLV President Neal Smatresk. "He has the skill and drive to revitalize our football program and deliver a new level of excitement to Rebel Football."
Hauck, 45, was named Big Sky Coach of the Year in 2006, 2007 and 2009 and AFCA Regional FCS Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2009.
"It's my belief that Bobby Hauck is one of the great young coaches in America today," Livengood said. "His ability to direct a program, his history of success in recruiting and his love for the game of football clearly project him as having an exciting future here at UNLV."
Hauck is not the first UNLV football head coach to be hired from out of the Big Sky Conference. Tony Knap came to Las Vegas from Boise State University and won more games for the Rebels (47-20-2) than any coach in school history during his career from 1976-81.
Hauck, a veteran of eight bowl games, also brings tremendous experience from stints coaching in both the Pacific-10 and Big 12 conferences.
"I'm excited to be here and believe UNLV is a tremendous opportunity for me and my family," Hauck said. "A special thanks to Neal Smatresk and Jim Livengood as well as all of the people who helped lead us to this moment. We're looking forward to building on the foundation put in place here by Mike Sanford and our first order of business is to get excitement building on our team and within the community."
Hauck was the youngest head coach in modern Montana history when he was named to the post in 2002, and record-setting success soon followed as he compiled four more conference championships than anyone in Grizzly history. His 2009 team finished 14-1 and reached the FCS Championship game for the second consecutive season.
Previous to taking over his alma mater, he spent four years at the University of Washington (1999-2002) where he coached defensive backs and special teams and was considered one of the top recruiters in college football. Before that he was at the University of Colorado for four seasons (1995-98) where he was the special teams and recruiting coordinator while also coaching the safeties.
Before joining the Buffaloes, Hauck coached the outside linebackers and handled recruiting duties for Northern Arizona University (1993-94). He served as a graduate assistant at UCLA in 1990-91 and in 1992 served as the Bruins' on-campus recruiting coordinator.
Hauck began his collegiate coaching career as a volunteer assistant for Montana in 1988-89, working with the secondary and then the inside linebackers. A native of the Treasure State, Hauk was a three-sport star at Sweet Grass High School in Big Timber, Mont., and went on to twice letter in track and field at the University of Montana. His first coaching position was in 1987 as an assistant at his prep alma mater before joining the college ranks.
Hauck, born on June 14, 1964, earned his bachelor's degree from Montana in 1987 and master's from UCLA in 1991. He and his wife, Stacey, have four children: daughters Sydney, Alexandra and Elise and son Robby. His father, Robert Hauck Sr., coached high school football in the state of Montana for three decades and his brother, Tim Hauck, played 13 seasons as a defensive back in the NFL and is currently an assistant coach with the Tennessee Titans.
For the latest UNLV Athletics news, please visit www.unlvrebels.com
