Tim Hauck to be named UNLV defensive coordinator

Bobby Hauck was asked two days before Christmas in 2009 at his introductory news conference as UNLV's football coach whether he would like to hire his brother as an assistant.

Hauck said he hoped that would work out eventually, praising Tim Hauck's coaching ability.

That day finally became a reality Wednesday when UNLV officially announced that Tim Hauck had been hired as defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach.

"We are certainly fortunate to convince someone with Tim's experience and pedigree to come here and work with us," Bobby Hauck said in a statement. "The other thing that is important is cohesion in the staff, and Tim is certainly someone that this coaching staff knows and is comfortable with. He had numerous other opportunities, but chose UNLV because he wants to be part of what we're doing here."

Tim Hauck, 46, comes from a largely NFL background, serving as the defensive backs coach last year for the Cleveland Browns and the two prior seasons as the assistant secondary coach for the Tennessee Titans.

Even while at those stops, Tim Hauck, an NFL safety for 13 seasons before retiring in 2002, said he watched UNLV games on TV and the Internet, giving him insight many new coaches wouldn't have. He also knows many of the assistants, having worked with them at Montana from 2004 to 2007.

Tim Hauck oversees a defense that last season gave up 445.2 yards and 32.6 points per game, but said he didn't "see wholesale changes."

The differences might be more in strategy than personnel.

"I think first of all we need to be extremely sound," Tim Hauck said. "The guys need to know what to do. I also want to be aggressive. We can't just sit back and let offenses dictate what they're going to do. We'll blitz. We'll be multiple. There will be some zone, some man."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.