Silverado hires Randall Cunningham as offensive coordinator

By Case Keefer (contact)

Monday, Dec. 14, 2009 | 3:28 p.m.

Silverado coach Andy Ostolaza has wanted an efficient passing attack to complement the school's power run game for the last two years.

Ostolaza now has some help to make sure that happens in 2010.

Former UNLV great and 16-year NFL veteran quarterback Randall Cunningham has taken over as Silverado's offensive coordinator.

"It's rare to see a guy that's had the success he's had in his career want to put it in the time for this," Ostolaza said. "Obviously, he'll bring expertise to the offense. He's an icon in Las Vegas, so a lot of people who are from here know who he is. The kids came in and that's all they've been talking about."

Cunningham said he approached Ostolaza about coaching shortly after his son, incoming freshman quarterback Randall Cunningham II, decided to attend high school at Silverado instead of Bishop Gorman.

Cunningham this year coached his son's youth team, which was composed mostly of kids from Silverado.

"We were really heavy on Gorman, but a lot of the kids on my team were going to Silverado," Cunningham said. "If I sent my son off into the beautiful sunset to Gorman, I'd be leaving a lot of kids behind."

Cunningham has big plans for the Skyhawks next season. He said he would implement a balanced offense relying heavily on NFL schemes and techniques.

Cunningham said game planning against Silverado would be a nightmare for opposing coaches.

"On offense, you aren't going to know what we're doing," Cunningham said. "It's not going to be easy to scout.

"We're going to take kids and teach them things they learn in the NFL."

Ostolaza said he remembered attending UNLV games with his parents and being in awe of Cunningham more than 20 years ago. As a Rebel, Cunningham threw for 59 touchdowns and more than 8,000 yards.

He followed that with an NFL career where he totaled nearly 30,000 passing yards and more than 200 touchdowns.

Now, Cunningham's sole football focus is on the high school level.

"I'm really, really excited because I took a lot of time to think in my heart what I wanted to do," Cunningham said. "It's pretty amazing the outpouring support of parents wanting to move into the Silverado zone."

Cunningham is set to get to work immediately. He was on the Silverado campus Monday.

Although the Skyhawks missed the playoffs this year, Cunningham sees great potential for the future.

"When I think of the Silverado zone, there are a lot of big kids over here and a lot of fast kids over here," he said. "I think the most important thing for Andy, myself and the coaching staff is getting these kids into college."