After Chris Beard bolted UNLV for Texas Tech, the school has now turned to New Mexico State head coach Marvin Menzies.
The school interviewed Menzies over the phone on Friday and a deal could be reached soon, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal. UNLV previously interviewed Menzies in person before initially hiring Beard.
After taking the UNLV job in late March, Beard on Friday agreed to become the next head coach at Texas Tech, replacing Tubby Smith, who took the Memphis job. ESPN’s Jeff Goodman reported the deal is for five years. Beard was to earn $900,000 annually at UNLV.
He will pay the school a $1 million buyout.
Beard, 43, had been the associate head coach at Texas Tech from 2001-11.
He is to be introduced at a press conference at Texas Tech on Saturday at 11 a.m. ET
“Coach Beard has informed me he intends to pursue the men’s head basketball coach job at Texas Tech,” UNLV AD Tina Kunzer-Murphy said in a statement. “This unprecedented move is extremely disappointing to the President and I, for our program and to our fans. Our search process allowed us to develop a deep pool of qualified candidates, from which we will select a great coach who really wants to be here and who will honor his commitments in leading the Runnin’ Rebels.”
The situation only adds to the turmoil at UNLV, which has seen virtually its entire roster turnover since the end of the season with players transferring or declaring for the Draft.
Meantime, USA Today reported that UNLV on Thursday contacted former Sacramento Kings coach George Karl and that he is interested in the job.
NThe Chris Beard Era in Las Vegas lasted about two weeks.
