Athletic Director Jim Livengood
Education: BA in education, BYU '68
AD Experience: Arizona, 1994-2009; Washington State, 1988-93; Southern Illinois, 1985-87
Why 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ? It was the right time. I was at Arizona for 16 years, which is a long time to stay at one place in this profession. I have a lot of experience. I don't have all the answers, but I think I can help make a difference.
A difficult transition? It will be different but not difficult. The interesting thing about this profession is that the issues - financial, academic, behavioral - are all the same; it's just different people.
Future outlook for college athletics? There are potentially some incredibly dire straights ahead. If we don't get our arms around the financial part of athletics, it will be hard for college athletics to survive. Nearly every state is having financial problems. Athletics has got to find a way to become more self-sufficient.
Priorities? One, making sure our student-athletes have the best collegiate experience possible. Two, figuring out a way to solve this financial issue. I can't solve it from a state or university level, but can do the best job I can from an athletics standpoint.
How did you keep Arizona athletics in the black without state-appropriated monies or student fees? Parts of every day were spent with the budget. I also had good financial people and our coaches and staff really understood the budget. It made for great relations with faculty and staff because athletics wasn't perceived as a drain.
How will you raise money here? Smartly, carefully. There are no hidden sources of revenue. That is why we have to fill up Sam Boyd Stadium and why gate receipts and television contracts are important. A larger part is to convince alumni and the community that 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ athletics is a good investment.
What attracts top student-athletes to 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ? Great city - and not just because of the glitz on the Strip - and great institution. 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ is thought of as a much better institution away from here, which is very normal for most schools. Athletics is guilty of staying in its own little world - getting out is one way we can sell 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. I want our staff and coaches in every building on campus.
What NCAA policies would you most like changed? I wish, although it's not possible and will never happen, that we could throw the rulebook out and start over. I am not against rules; I just think we have gotten to the point where we are overregulated.
Head Football Coach Bobby Hauck
Education: BA in business and physical education, Montana '88; MEd, UCLA '91
Career Record: 80-17 at Montana
Why 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ? When you see a place that has potential, there is promise. It's a good city and a good university. Las Vegas has proximity to athletes in Nevada and California - there are direct flights to everywhere in the country, so it gives us an opportunity to recruit.
Priorities? Recruiting is always a priority. Others include getting to know our players and putting the off-season training program in place as well as making sure kids succeed academically.
Why do you coach special teams in addition to being head coach? It gives me a chance to actually coach every kid on the team and not just be an administrator.
Biggest misconception about college football? That the players are coddled and have everything catered to them. We are very demanding, which includes classwork, community service, weight training, practice, conditioning, and getting beat up and spending time in the training room. I tell recruits they better love football because there are easier ways to earn your tuition.
What rules would you like to see changed? We have to be real cautious about changing our game. We don't want to be the NFL; we want to be college football.
Last year, you visited U.S. troops in the Middle East and Asia. Why? At one time, I thought about joining the Marines to become a pilot. I'm a big fan of the military and have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for what they do for our country.
Anyone you met stand out? It was fun to meet some fellow Montanans, but there was one guy who serves in the Special Forces that I met at the hospital. He told me about how he had been shot twice in a firefight the same day I went to visit. I was really impressed with his attitude and candor and how he was ready to get back out there.
What do you consider you greatest accomplishment? Landing my wife, Stacey. However, the proudest moment of my life was giving the eulogy at my father's funeral and receiving a standing ovation. It was a tough thing to do.
How do you manage stress? By not taking it home. The volatility and stress are just part of the job.
The weather and lifestyle in Las Vegas are different than in Missoula. Do you think it will be a difficult adjustment? Attitude is everything, and we are excited to be here, so the adjustment will be easy. We have a little time off in July, so we may head back north for a couple weeks.
Is there something people would be surprised to know about you? I have a sense of humor and do smile once in a while.
