Tony, meet Tony.
On Wednesday UNLV head coach Tony Sanchez announced the hiring of Tony Samuel as the Rebels’ new defensive line coach. Samuel spent the 2015 season in a similar capacity at Georgia State, helping the Panthers jump from 121st nationally in yards per play allowed all the way to 43rd en route to the program’s first-ever bowl appearance.
“I’ve known Tony Samuel since 1997 and we have had a long-lasting relationship,” Sanchez said in a statement. “He’s a tremendous football coach with a proven track record of success and we are fortunate to have him at UNLV.”
Samuel jumped into coaching at Western Michigan in 1982 but made his name in the business during an 11-year stint as outside linebackers/rush ends coach for Tom Osborne at Nebraska. From there he deposited head coaching stints at New Mexico State (1997-04) and Southeast Missouri State (2006-13).
“I have stayed in touch with Tony since we first met when I was taking over at New Mexico State and there is a lot of familiarity with a lot of people on the staff,” Samuel said. “I am excited about the potential of what can happen at UNLV and looking forward to being a part of it.”
In 2015, UNLV finished 107th nationally in yards per play allowed, tied for 126th in tackles for loss and a dead last 128th in sacks.
