Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008 | 4:46 p.m.
With one year remaining on his contract, UNLV football coach Mike Sanford's job status for the 2009 season is safe. This was confirmed by athletic director Mike Hamrick on Friday night at the Thomas & Mack Center before UNLV's hoops game against California.
"Yes," Hamrick said emphatically.
It's Sanford's status beyond 2009 which is the big mystery. At least for a few more days, that is.
The two will sit down early this next week and hammer out the details of the program's future. This, of course, includes whether Sanford's contract will be extended.
"We'll sit down and evaluate the program and talk about what we need to do, what's worked, what doesn't work," Hamrick added. "I'll give him my perspective, I'll hear his perspective, then we'll go from there and see where we go."
Sanford has been out of town for much of the time since his team's 42-21 season-ending loss at San Diego State last Saturday, both for the Thanksgiving holiday and to recruit. A victory in San Diego would have made the Rebels bowl eligible following four straight 2-10 seasons, and may have all but secured a healthy extension for the fourth-year coach. Instead, UNLV finished 5-7.
In four seasons at UNLV, Sanford has a record of 11-37.
The 2009 season will bring a decent amount of promise, as the core of the Rebels' efficient offense returns. The schedule also features seven home games, including three straight to start the season. It will kickoff on Sept. 5 with a home date against Sacramento State, followed with visits to Sam Boyd Stadium by Oregon State and Hawaii.
Stay tuned to www.lasvegassun.com/rebels for more on this story as it develops throughout the week.
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