The Zeitgeist List · coaching

UNLV: a football coaching history

Regional Program II#93 of 138–
See UNLV’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Tony Knap
Peaked at National Program III
Built by
John Robinson
Regional Program V → Regional Program IV (+8.7)
The fall
Wayne Nunnely
Regional Program I → Regional Program IV (−9.7)
Right now
Dan Mullen
in year 2 — too new to place in UNLV's history

Stature & coaches, 1978–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)KnapHydeNunnelyStrongHortonRobinsonSr.HauckSanchezArroyo198020002020

Every coach

2025–now
Dan Mullenshort tenure
10–4
2023–2024
Barry Odomshort tenure
20–8
2020–2022
Marcus Arroyocaretaker
Marcus Arroyo moved UNLV from Regional Program V to Regional Program IV in 3 seasons.
Regional Program IV
7–23
2015–2019
Tony Sanchezcaretaker
Tony Sanchez held UNLV at Regional Program V for 5 seasons.
Regional Program V
20–40
2010–2014
Bobby Hauckcaretaker
Bobby Hauck slid UNLV from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 5 seasons.
Regional Program V
15–49
2005–2009
Mike Sanford Sr.caretaker
Mike Sanford Sr. slid UNLV from Regional Program III to Regional Program IV in 5 seasons.
Regional Program IV
16–43
1999–2004
John Robinsoncaretaker
John Robinson moved UNLV from Regional Program V to Regional Program IV in 6 seasons.
+8.7
28–42
1994–1998
Jeff Hortoncaretaker
Jeff Horton held UNLV at Regional Program V for 5 seasons.
Regional Program V
13–44
1990–1993
Jim Strongcaretaker
Jim Strong held UNLV at Regional Program IV for 4 seasons.
Regional Program IV
17–27
1986–1989
Wayne Nunnelycaretaker
Wayne Nunnely held UNLV at Regional Program I for 4 seasons.
−9.7
19–25
1982–1985
Harvey Hydecaretaker
Harvey Hyde slid UNLV from National Program III to Regional Program I in 4 seasons.
Regional Program I
26–19
1978–1981
Tony Knapcaretaker
Tony Knap held UNLV at National Program III for 4 seasons.
National Program III
29–15