Feb. 17, 2004
LAS VEGAS - Citing health issues, UNLV men's basketball head coach Charlie Spoonhour has announced his resignation effective immediately.
Jay Spoonhour, an assistant coach on his father's staff at UNLV for the past three seasons, will serve as the interim head coach.
"I am physically unable to do this right now," Spoonhour said. "Because of my health it is in my best interest to step away. It has nothing to do with basketball or anything surrounding the program. I would appreciate a certain amount of privacy and hope that is respected."
Spoonhour was in his third year with the Runnin' Rebels (hired Mar. 29, 2001) and leaves UNLV with a 54-31 (.635) mark. He was named the United States Basketball Writers Association's District VIII Coach of the Year after leading UNLV to a 21-11 mark in his first season at UNLV (2001-02), which included a second round postseason National Invitation Tournament appearance.
Spoonhour followed up in year two with another 21-11 overall record and a NIT berth. This season, the Runnin' Rebels compiled a 12-9 mark under Spoonhour.
Spoonhour became UNLV's 12th head coach in program history after spending retirement as a college basketball broadcaster. He was the head coach at Saint Louis University from 1992-99 and won the 1994 National Coach of the Year Award while with the Billikens.
Prior to coaching at SLU, Spoonhour was head coach at Southwest Missouri State University for nine seasons (1983-92).
This year was Spoonhour's 19th year as a Division I head coach and he compiled a career mark of 373-202 (.649). His teams made it to the postseason 13 times including eight to the NCAA Tournament.
"We appreciate all of Charlie's hard work and dedication to our program," UNLV Director of Athletics Mike Hamrick said. "But his health is the number one concern right now for all of us. He added a lot of stability to the program the last three years and we wish him nothing but the best in the future and hope he can take care of these health issues quickly."
Hamrick said the search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
UNLV hosts San Diego State tonight, Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Spoonhour will take some time off away from Las Vegas and will be unavailable for interviews.
