UNLV football coach Tony Sanchez’s contract extended through 2021

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Published Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 | 3:45 p.m.

Updated Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 | 5:45 p.m.

Ontario. Baskersfield. St. Louis. UNLV head football coach Tony Sanchez has spent the last couple weeks dotting the map on the recruiting trail, never in one city for more than a few days as he worked to attract talented young players to the program.

It's tiring, stressful, grinding work, but when Sanchez arrived back in Las Vegas on Friday, he found some peace of mind waiting for him in the form of a contract extension.

Sanchez and UNLV agreed on a three-year extension that should keep him in place through at least the 2021 season. University leaders are working on terms of the agreement, which will be announced when finalized.

Sanchez originally signed a four-year contract in December 2014 and has spent the last two years taking on the gigantic task of rebuilding UNLV football. From Sanchez's perspective, the extension is a sign that he's making significant progress.

"I think this shows the confidence Len [Jessup] and Tina [Kunzer-Murphy] have in me," Sanchez said, referring to UNLV's president and director of athletics, respectively. "They're confident in where we're going and what we're building. This is the place I want to be, so I'm excited about taking on the challenge."

UNLV made national news by hiring Sanchez away from Bishop Gorman High two years ago, as the then-40-year-old had never coached above the high school level. Sanchez led the Rebels to a 3-9 record in 2015 and a 4-8 mark in 2016.

Sanchez has also been at the forefront of significant fundraising efforts since his hiring. Under his watch, UNLV has raised $17 million of the $26 million necessary to complete construction on a new on-campus practice facility. The Fertitta family donated $10 million toward the cause last year, and the Fertitta Football Complex is set to break ground in the spring. Sanchez has also been vocal about his support for the construction of a new stadium for the NFL's Raiders in Las Vegas, as UNLV football would play its home games as a tenant in the new building.

"Obviously, in terms of on the field, we have to win more," Sanchez said. "But off the field we're doing a great job of engaging the community and getting people to buy in and help us build ... There are a lot of people invested in this vision and what we're doing together. I think that's why you've seen the donations. We're going to break ground on the practice facility in March, and when you think about where we were two or three years ago, that's pretty amazing. But we've got to keep going."

The extension should give Sanchez more solid footing with potential recruits. His first two recruiting classes drew praise, and with signing day just around the corner on Feb. 1, the extension could give Sanchez the extra boost necessary to land some of the prospects who may still be on the fence about UNLV.

"[The extension] creates stability with me and my assistants and in recruiting, and that's one of the big things about this," Sanchez said.

With Sanchez's new deal in place, UNLV has its football and men's basketball coaches locked in for the foreseeable future, as head basketball coach Marvin Menzies signed a five-year pact in April 2016.

“Continuity is important in turning this program around, and Tony’s success in building a roster, building the brand and building interest and support throughout the community has earned him an extension to see that vision realized,” Kunzer-Murphy said in a statement.

Kunzer-Murphy is set to leave her role as athletic director in June and move to a fundraising position with the Rebel Athletic Fund. The university is currently searching for her successor, and with Sanchez and Menzies under long-term contracts, the next AD will come in with the benefit of some stability within the school's flagship sports.

"I'll be sad to see Tina go," Sanchez said. "I'm very appreciative of her and what she's done. I think Len clearly showed he wants me here and that he believes in what we're doing. Whoever comes in as the next AD will be someone Len feels can take the program to the next level."

Sanchez believes UNLV is close to having a winner, and that the extension gives him a chance to continue building the right way.

"One of the things Len and Tina and myself have been committed to is doing it right," he said. "We didn't go for a quick fix. We built for the long-term. We redshirted guys. We stuck to the plan. When you have time, you don't have to scramble to put a Band-Aid on it. We're getting better, and with the team we have coming back, I really feel like we have a chance to be real good real soon."

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.