Stacey Augmon Returns to UNLV, Looks to Bring Back the Glory Days

As the newly appointed UNLV head coach filled the final spot on his coaching staff, the UNLV faithful couldn't be more happier. Former UNLV great and NBA veteran Stacey Augmon finalized a deal to become Dave Rice's third assistant coach, rounding out his coaching staff.

"I am excited about coming back to UNLV," Augmon said in a statement released by UNLV "I am looking forward to working with Coach Rice and the rest of the staff. It will be great to be back in the city where we were part of a dynasty. I want to thank Jim Livengood and President Smatresk, along with Coach Rice for bringing me back. I am anxious to get started working with the young talent that is currently on the team and to help take the program to the next level."

A vital part of the 1991 Runnin' Rebel team that won the NCAA national championship, there is a buzz in the air now that one of UNLV's favorite sons is home and ready to help lead UNLV to similar success he created as a player.

Third on UNLV's all-time scoring list, Augmon was known just as much for his stiff defensive play as he was for his scoring abilities. He parlayed his collegiate success to a long NBA career that ended in 2006.

After his retirement Augmon joined the Denver Nuggets coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2007. He was one of the first names that popped up as a possible assistant coach once Dave Rice was hired, but waited until the Denver Nuggets were eliminated from the playoffs to make an official decision on whether to join the coaching staff at UNLV.

Augmon is expected to focus on developing players on the defensive end and will be a strong factor in recruitment, being that he has deep NBA ties not only has a player but as a coach as well.

Augmon joins the other UNLV coaching staff members consisting of associate head coach Justin Hutson—who came over to UNLV after a successful stint at San Diego State as an assistant coach—and Heath Schroyer, former Wyoming Cowboys head coach.

UNLV now has one of the strongest coaching staffs in the nation and should have an upper hand in recruiting compared to that of former UNLV head coach Lon Kruger—who left UNLV to coach the Oklahoma Soooners.

Hutson is known as one of the strongest recruiters on the west coast—largely responsible for bringing Billy White, Malcom Thomas and projected NBA lottery pick Kawhi Leonard to San Diego State. Considering the combination of Augmon's NBA ties and Dave Rice's plan to be a run-and-gun team, recruiting at UNLV should be ten-fold better than the Kruger era, which was know to miss out on top tier recruits and thrive off transferring players.

The future for the UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball program is looking as bright as ever. Having Stacey Augmon back in the mix has the Rebel Nation buzzing over how far these Rebels will run.