LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Travis Burkett has joined UNLV Football as running backs coach, head coach Tony Sanchez announced Monday.

At UNLV, Burkett inherits a rushing attack that stood 15th in the nation last fall with 241.5 yards per game, which ranked fourth in program history and was the most since 1979. All three of the team's top rushers return in 2017.

Burkett comes to the Rebels from Cornell after spending the last 10 seasons at the Ivy League program. During his time with the Big Red he was assistant head coach for the last four years and worked at different times with the running backs, secondary, tight ends, linebackers and defensive line along with coordinating the special teams from 2008-12. Before arriving at Cornell, Burkett spent two seasons as a graduate assistant coach working on defense at Bucknell while earning his master of science in education in 2007.

Prior to his time at Bucknell, Burkett worked as an assistant coach and special teams coordinator at San Luis Obispo (Calif.) High School helping to guide his high school alma mater to a record of 18-5 over the 2003 and 2004 seasons. In between he played linebacker and defensive end for the Bergamo Lions in Italy where he helped them to an Italian Superbowl Championship and EuroBowl runner-up finish during the 2004 season.

A 2002 graduate of Saint Mary's (Calif.) with an undergraduate degree in history, Burkett also garnered his California Teaching Credential while he played linebacker for the Gaels from 1998-2002. In his fifth year he was voted the team's Most Inspirational Player while being recognized as a second team Verizon Academic All-District VIII honoree.

Burkett and his wife, Genevieve, have one daughter, Milana.

UNLV opens spring practice on Wednesday at Rebel Park with the annual Spring Showcase set for April 1 on campus.