UNLV Athletic Director Desiree Reed-Francois watches the Rebels during the first half of their game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium Friday, Nov. 27, 2020.
Published Friday, April 30, 2021 | 8:56 a.m.
Updated Friday, April 30, 2021 | 9:31 a.m.
Desiree Reed-Francois has hired coaches, advocated for student-athletes and enhanced community relations since arriving in Las Vegas in 2017 as the athletic director at UNLV.
Her next challenge: Continuing to lead the department as it emerges from the pandemic.
Reed-Francois has the confidence of the administration in moving forward, receiving a four-year contract extension today that runs through June 2026 with an adjusted annual base salary of $420,000.
“This extension provides continuity for UNLV Athletics as we emerge from the pandemic and provides her with the runway to continue her vision,” UNLV President Keith Whitfield said in a statement.
UNLV’s on-the-field achievements during her tenure include capturing league championships in eight sports.
While football hasn’t been a bowl-game qualifier and last season didn’t win a game in a pandemic-shortened season, second-year coach Marcus Arroyo has landed top recruiting classes in the Mountain West and seems to have the program moving in the right direction.
Like football, men’s basketball has also under-achieved. But Reed-Francois acted quickly in March to elevate Kevin Kruger to head coach, and there’s hope Kruger’s rebuilt roster will be ready to compete next season. At the very minimum, there appears to be newfound excitement for the program, which should translate to more fans — and revenue — moving forward at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Reed-Francois has exclusively hired younger coaches, and most have produced immediate results. Lindy La Rocque was just 30 when she took over the women’s basketball program last spring, leading the Rebels to a surprising second-place finish in the league and a 15-8 record. She was the coach of the year.
Volleyball coach Dawn Sullivan has orchestrated a turnaround that led to a Mountain West championship this season and the program’s second NCAA Tournament win. Softball coach Kristie Fox is 90-39 in four seasons with the program and should have her team in the tournament in a few weeks.
“It has been a fast four years and while there is more work ahead of us, we are very optimistic for the future,” Reed-Francois said in a statement. “We want the transformation of UNLV Athletics to be sustaining and long-term and we are headed in that direction.”
Off the field, the department has also enjoyed successes. In each of the past seven semesters, the cumulative grade-point average of athletes was at least 3.0, according to the university. Also, the last four years have produced some of the best fundraising totals in department history, with more than $60 million in philanthropic support and the largest estate gift in the department's history at $8 million, officials said. Football season ticket sales, with a boost from moving into Allegiant Stadium, are 50% higher than 2018. No specific totals were given.
“Under Desiree’s focused leadership, our student-athletes are performing better than ever in the classroom, the culture is one of integrity and professionalism, and she’s driving innovation in marketing, fundraising, and the overall fan experience,” Whitfield said. “As a seasoned administrator, Desiree puts student-athletes first in all of the department’s decision-making, she understands all aspects of university athletics, and has the experience we need to successfully navigate a critical time for the program and the university.”
Reed-Francois, 48, is considered a fast-riser as a college athletics administrator. She is the first Hispanic female and woman of color to serve as athletics director at the FBS level.
“I am very appreciative of President Whitfield’s faith and support in me and in the direction of our department,” she said. “I would also like to thank our coaches and staff. Without their hard work, talent and expertise, our success wouldn’t be possible.”
