LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – On the eve of the team's first practice of preseason camp, UNLV football head coach Tony Sanchez on Thursday announced the hiring of Ronnie Regula as tight ends coach.
 
Regula (pronounced "reh-GEW-lah"), who served as a graduate assistant coach for the Rebels in 2017 and '18, returns to Las Vegas from Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he was named tight ends and fullbacks coach in January.
 
UNLV's position opened when offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Barney Cotton announced he would not coach in 2019 for health reasons. Garin Justice, who also oversees the offensive line for the Rebels, was named offensive coordinator.
 
"We're excited to bring Ronnie back into the Rebel family," said Sanchez. "He did a tremendous job here as a graduate assistant and worked on both sides of the ball, including offensive line and the tight ends. He's a perfect fit to help us make a seamless transition with the staff changes."
 
A native of Miami, Florida, Regula worked at Florida International in 2015-16, serving as an offensive graduate assistant and offensive quality control coach. While there, he earned his master's degree in recreation and sport management.
 
Regula's collegiate playing career began at Mount Saint Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio, before he transferred to the University of Miami. He went on to earn a pair of letters for the Hurricanes on special teams and as an H-back. In 2015, he earned his bachelor of science degree in sports administration with a minor in business management.
 
Regula, who is married to wife Sami, spent one semester as an intern with the football staff at his alma mater. 
 
REGULA'S COACHING EXPERIENCE
2019 -- UNLV – Tight Ends
2019 – Lafayette College – Tight Ends/Fullbacks
2018 – UNLV – Graduate Assistant (Defense)
2017 – UNLV – Graduate Assistant (Offense)
2015-16 – FIU – Graduate Assistant & Quality Control Coach (Offense)
 
2019 UNLV FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
Head Coach -- Tony Sanchez (5th season)
Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers -- Tim Skipper (2nd season)
Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line – Garin Justice (2nd season)
Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs – Travis Burkett (3rd season)
Wide Receivers – Cedric Cormier (10th season)
Quarterbacks – Ron O'Dell (5th season)
Tight Ends – Ronnie Regula (1st season)
Defensive Line – Tony Samuel (4th season)
Outside Linebackers – Eric Brown (2nd season)
Safeties – Al Simmons (2nd season)
Cornerbacks – Steve Irvin (2nd season)