Marvin Menzies to UNLV: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, men's basketball team has tabbed former New Mexico State Aggies boss Marvin Menzies as its head coach following Chris Beard's abrupt departure for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. 

Geoff Grammer of the Albuquerque Journal provided UNLV's announcement: 

USA Today's Dan Wolken noted the path that led Menzies to the Runnin' Rebels was rather bizarre:

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Mark Anderson, the 54-year-old Menzies withdrew his name from consideration for the UNLV job "when it became obvious Beard would be extended an offer." However, Beard ended up taking the same position at Texas Tech less than a month after assuming the post with the Aggies.

A former UNLV and Louisville Cardinals assistant coach, Menzies brings a solid track record to Sin City following nine successful seasons with New Mexico State. 

Dating back to Menzies' first season (2007-08) with the Aggies, the program has recorded just a single losing season. Only two of his nine campaigns ended with fewer than 20 wins. 

Season	W-L
2007-08	21-14
2008-09	17-15
2009-10	22-12
2010-11	16-17
2011-12	26-10
2012-13	24-11
2013-14	26-10
2014-15	23-11
2015-16	23-11

And while Menzies was never able to crack the Associated Press Top 25 poll during his time with the mid-major, New Mexico State did make five NCAA tournament appearances under his watch. The Aggies also captured three regular-season and five Western Athletic Conference tournament championships during Menzies' time at the helm. 

That sort of consistency is what UNLV will be looking for when Menzies assumes control of a once-great program that has lost its way over the past decade-plus. 

Not only have the Runnin' Rebels gone eight years without an NCAA tournament win after beating Kent State in 2008, but they've missed out on the March festivities each of the past three seasons. UNLV's also staring at a three-season drought when it comes to being ranked in the AP Top 25. 

Propelling UNLV back to the top of the Mountain West will be difficult considering the stronghold San Diego State has established atop the conference standings under Steve Fisher's leadership, but Menzies has a resume that suggests he can help stabilize the program in a few years' time. 

Stats courtesy of Sports-Reference.com.