LAS VEGAS -- UNLV has now been snubbed by two Ricks in a row.
Utah coach Rick Majerus followed Rick Pitino's lead and told UNLV officials Thursday that he was not interested in the Runnin' Rebel basketball job.
UNLV athletic director Charles Cavagnaro said he talked with Majerus about the job, but that Majerus did not want to come to UNLV.
"At this time he thinks the best thing for him is to stay with the Utah program," Cavagnaro said in a statement released by the school.
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| Rick Majerus has twice before turned down opportunities to be the head coach at UNLV. (Allsport) | |
Over the weekend, Pitino rejected a courtship from UNLV and a job offer that reportedly would have paid him $1.6 million a year. UNLV finished its season on Saturday and is not eligible for postseason because of NCAA sanctions.
Majerus talked to UNLV twice before about the position -- in 1992 and 1995 -- and turned it down both times.
Majerus is no stranger to Las Vegas, having spent five weeks rehabilitating his surgically repaired right knee here a few months ago. His team is playing Friday in the Mountain West Conference Tournament at the UNLV campus arena.
The 52-year-old Majerus had two procedures to repair a heart valve in early January and announced later that month he was taking the rest of the season off to get healthy and take care of his mother.
The Utes have been coached most of the season by assistant Dick Hunsaker. Utah finished 19-10 and in a three-way tie for first place in the Mountain West.
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