MWC football: Rebels look to take a big step up

Editor's note: This is the second in a nine-part series previewing each football team in the MWC.

Mike Sanford sounded like an unlucky gambler when he was fired by UNLV. The former University of Utah offensive coordinator said he needed more time and more resources to turn things around in Las Vegas.

But after five seasons and a 16-43 overall record, Sanford's tenure as head coach of the Rebels came to an end last November. He was eventually replaced by Montana's Bobby Hauck, who guided the Grizzlies to three second-place finishes in the FCS playoffs over a seven-year span.

"It was a smooth transition," said senior linebacker Ronnie Paulo. "(Coach Hauck) brings a lot of intensity to the program. He brings a blue-collar work ethic that all of us are used to."

Unfortunately for the Rebels, losing is also something they've grown accustomed to. The program's last winning season (8-5) came in 2000. Since then, the only non-losing campaign was a 6-6 mark in 2003.

A year ago, UNLV failed to capitalize on a seven-game home schedule and went 5-7 overall. A 23-21 loss to Oregon State and a four-game skid in the middle of the season doomed the Rebels' hopes for bowl eligibility.

It also cost Sanford his job.

"I think that we're definitely a program that's been knocking on the door the last couple of years. We're ready to break through and get to that bowl game," said senior offensive lineman John Gianninoto. "I think a lot of things would have changed if one of those years we could have gotten into a bowl."

Reality bites.

As such, the Rebels are poised to begin anew under Hauck. Initial expectations aren't high, as they were picked to finish eighth in the Mountain West Conference's preseason media poll.

"Regardless of where they ranked us, we are going to work hard," Paulo said. "We just use that as motivation. We're just waiting for the fall to see where this all plays out. We're going to continue to improve through fall camp."

Any predictions from the inside?

"We are going to work hard," Paulo responded. "That's all I can say."

The Rebels return 15 starters (eight on offense, seven on defense), including senior quarterback Omar Clayton (2,230 yards passing in 2009), junior wide receiver Phillip Payne (58 receptions, 661 yards receiving), senior offensive lineman Matt Murphy (All-MWC honorable mention) and senior cornerback Quinton Pointer (72 tackles).