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LAS VEGAS — Former BYU assistant basketball coach Dave Rice has resigned in his first head coaching job at UNLV, the school announced Sunday night.
The school's announcement said Rice and UNLV parted ways by mutual consent, but multiple reports indicated Rice, 47, was fired following a meeting with athletic director Tina Kunzer-Murphy on Sunday afternoon. The Runnin' Rebels host New Mexico on Tuesday, when associate head coach Todd Simon will serve his first game as interim head coach.
Rice led his alma mater to a 98-54 record, finishing with a 0-3 start in Mountain West play with losses to Fresno State, Colorado State and Wyoming.
"Earlier today I met with Dave Rice and after discussing the direction of our season, we mutually agreed that it was time for a change," Kunzer-Murphy said in a statement. "Dave has had a great deal of success during his tenure as our head coach. He loves this university, this community and his players. He will always be a cherished member of the Runnin' Rebel family and we are grateful for all he has done for this program.
"However, being winless in conference play and losing five of the last six games is simply not good enough for Runnin' Rebel basketball."
UNLV (9-7) will travel to the Beehive State on Jan. 19 to play at Utah State.
Rice averaged 22.5 wins per season in his five years in Las Vegas, but never won an NCAA Tournament game. The Rebels missed the tourney last year, and appeared to be destined for a similar fate after Saturday's 59-57 loss at Wyoming.
Rice ranks third all-time in victories for a UNLV head coach, and also beat 10 ranked opponents in his five seasons in Las Vegas.
"I am particularly proud of our accomplishments, not only on the court, but also academically and in recruiting," Rice said in a statement. "It has been a great honor to coach at my alma mater and I wish the players, the coaches, the university, the program and the fans the very best as they move forward."
He played basketball a UNLV under legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian, helping the Runnin' Rebels to the 1990 national championship and 1991 Final Four. A former Rhodes Scholar, Rice received a bachelor's degree in political science in 1991, then earned an MBA from UNLV in 1993. During his five-year tenure as UNLV head coach, every scholarship senior went through graduation and he also produced a litany of NBA players and five-star high school recruits.
Rice received a contract extension in March 2014 through the 2018-19 season, but his teams have gone 27-22 since the extension was announced, including an 8-13 mark in conference play.
He had three years remaining on his contract, and will receive the remainder of his base salary as compensation, according to the university's release.
A few former BYU players tweeted their support of Rice following his resignation, including former Cougar post Noah Hartsock, who currently coaches at Centennial High School in North Las Vegas.
@CoachDaveRice is a tremendous coach and understands the game so well. Proud to play for him. Huge future ahead https://t.co/g1DRh2ilfV
— Noah Hartsock (@noahartsock) January 11, 2016Wishing @CoachDaveRice the best. Whoever lands him will be fortunate.
— Nicholas Martineau (@nick_martineau) January 11, 2016@CoachDaveRice is a great coach and a better person. Best of luck to him as he moves forward. https://t.co/KcSFB2MSfZ
— Jackson Emery (@jacksonemery04) January 11, 2016
Prior to UNLV, Rice was an assistant coach under Dave Rose at BYU from 2005-11, ascending to the associate head coaching role in 2008. He coordinated the Cougars' offense and recruiting efforts, coaching units that ranked among the top 20 nationally in such areas as scoring offense, scoring margin, 3-point field goal percentage and assist to turnover ration.
He also spent one year as an assistant coach at Utah State, working under former Aggie coach Stew Morrill in 2004-05.
Before his one season as head coach of Henderson, Nevada-based prep school Findlay Prep, Simons served as UNLV's video coordinator from 2004-06 under former coach Lon Kruger. A Central Michigan graduate in 2003, Simons, 35, received a master's degree from UNLV in 2010.
