Feb. 25, 1998

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Former University of Southern California player DelVaughn Alexander has been hired to coach UNLV wide receivers, Head Coach Jeff Horton announced Wednesday.

"DelVaughn has been associated with one of the nation's strongest programs and he played wide receiver with three teammates who became No. 1 draft picks (Keyshawn Johnson, Johnnie Morton and Curtis Conway)," Horton said. "He comes highly recommended and is from an area that is key to our recruiting efforts. He knows the players and coaches in Los Angeles so he'll only help strengthen our pipeline there."

Alexander, 26, has spent the last two seasons as an offensive assistant for the Trojans helping work with the receivers and tight ends. He spent the 1995 season as an assistant video coordinator with the USC football program.

"I am grateful to coach Horton for this opportunity," Alexander said. "With UNLV having a group of high-quality receivers and a lot of depth at the position, this is a great situation to come into. I look forward to adding to a great foundation established here."

The Los Angeles native was a two-year letterwinner as a wideout for the Trojans in 1993-94. He also was a triple jumper on the USC track team.

A transfer from West Los Angeles College in the spring of 1993, Alexander earned All-Western State Conference first team honors as a receiver. He earned his bachelor's degree in history from USC in 1995 and is working toward a master's. He is the father of one son, J.D., born January 1996.

Alexander, who begins coaching today, replaced Eric Yarber who accepted a job with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday. Horton has one remaining vacancy on his nine-man staff, which is not expected to be filled until after the spring game on March 7.