UNLV apparently can’t afford to pay its new head football coach beyond the immediate future.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports athletic director Erick Harper revealed to the university’s Board of Regents they only have secured funding for the first two years of Dan Mullen’s five-year, $17.5 million contract. The athletic department currently faces approximately $31 million in debt.
“We have the funds to pay the coach over the next two years,” Harper told the board, according to the Review-Journal. “We have been working with our donors to assist with philanthropic dollars. We have one donor who has already fulfilled their commitment, and that money is in an unrestricted line that will be utilized in the future to help with the salaries.”
Mullen was hired to replace Barry Odom, who departed for Purdue after just two seasons with the Rebels. Mullen hasn’t patrolled the college football sidelines for four years, instead working as an ESPN analyst. He last coached Florida from 2018-2021, compiling a 34-15 record with three top-13 finishes and two major bowl victories (Orange and Peach).
According to the Review-Journal, the athletic department plans to raise money for Mullen’s final three contract years through donations and increased revenue from football games. The program has already sold over 5,000 season ticket plans for the 2025 season, showing initial fan enthusiasm for the new hire.
However, regent Joseph Arrascada cautioned that the financial strategy could unravel with on-field struggles.
“Impressive numbers, but fans are fickle,” he said, via the Review-Journal. “One bad season, those numbers can plummet.”
