UNLV hires T.J. Otzelberger as new head coach

After three seasons at South Dakota State, T.J. Otzelberger is headed to Vegas to be the new head coach at UNLV. Otzelberger was 70-33 at SD State, winning back-to-back Summit League titles over the last two years.

“I have been fortunate to coach at some amazing universities and it was going to take a very special opportunity to leave Brookings,” Otzelberger said in a statement Wednesday. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to add to the Runnin’ Rebels’ rich history and my family and I could not be more proud to be the newest members of this world-class university and Las Vegas community.”

In the same statement, UNLV athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois praised Otzelberger: “[We] sought a hard-working, laser-focused head coach who personifies our core values; who knows what success looks like; who is passionately committed to winning; and who is at ease with being the face of our storied basketball program. T.J. exemplifies these attributes.”

The Runnin’ Rebels have missed the last six NCAA Tournaments and were 48-48 over the last three seasons under Marvin Menzies, who was fired earlier this month.

h/t to Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images for the photo