Bet on Red: UNLV's New Game Plan with Coach Hayden

SNC: Coach, thank you for your time. I know you’re busy, so I’d love to ask you a few questions whenever you have a moment.

Coach Hayden: Always for you!

SNC: The entire Wolfpack Nation is excited about the dawn of a new era. What are your expectations going into year 1?

Coach Hayden: Well, I’m excited to create a winning program. The guys we have can be the start of something great.

SNC: My favorite part of living in Vegas is being in a town that’s all about betting on yourself. That's what I’ve been preaching to my guys this offseason. Bet on yourself. Bet on us. As long as we do that, the odds are in our favor.

Coach Hayden: Our boys know the rules. But to be honest with you, if our guys are ready to lay their NIL money down on the line for a UNLV win or a positive individual outcome? That’s the mindset I want.

SNC: Believe in yourself, I like that coach.

SNC: The program has been on a steady rise over the past 3 seasons, increasing win totals from 2, to 5, and to 9 in 2023. What is your plan on maintaining that success and making a push for the Mountain West championship?

Coach Hayden: Well, Jake, we have great pieces. I wouldn’t have taken this job if I didn’t believe in the team. Matthew Sluka, our QB transfer from Holy Cross, has shown a lot of good things. We feel like we have one of the best receivers in college football, Ricky White III, and our defense is hungry. You’re going to see a UNLV team that swarms the ball on defense and is explosive on offense. We are going to play to our strengths.

SNC: This year is big for the Battle of the Fremont Cannon. How important is it to you to finish the year on a high note, not only against your Rival Nevada but also win the 50th-anniversary game?

Coach Hayden: Well, Jake, there’s no denying that game holds a lot of meaning for our program. But I assure you that while our boys' eyes are locked in on bringing the Fremont Cannon trophy home, we have higher-stakes games to play. We’re ready to go all in on getting this great program into the college football playoff, doing some damage, and showing the country what UNLV football is all about.

SNC: The Rebels should be favored to win every game in the Mountain West. How do you keep the locker room focused on what could be a special season within your conference while you have to juggle a tough out-of-conference schedule with Kansas, Oregon State, Houston, and Syracuse on tap? Do you think your squad could be the Group of 5 team that makes the playoffs?

Coach Hayden: Absolutely, I do. We are going into every game knowing that if we play UNLV football, we are the better team. We are ready for the challenge. This program doesn’t grow unless we put all the cards on the table, throw those chips out in the middle, and, like the great Phil Ivey or Daniel Negreanu, bet on ourselves.

SNC: This is my last question for you, coach. Thank you for your time. You walk into Caesars Palace with 100 units. What is your ideal night?

Coach Hayden: I’m going straight to the roulette table and putting it all on Scarlet UNLV red.

SNC: Once again, the theme of betting on yourself, coach. Thank you for the insight. I wish you luck, and I’m sure our paths will cross later in the season.

Coach Hayden: Thank you, Jake. It's always a pleasure.