INGLEWOOD, Calif. — UNLV won’t have offensive coordinator Brennan Marion on the sidelines when the No. 24-ranked Rebels take on Cal in the LA Bowl on Wednesday.
Marion is poised to become the coach at Sacramento State in the FCS, according to multiple reports Tuesday.
Marion, 37, innovated the Go-Go offense that helped UNLV (10-3) to 19 wins over the past two seasons. He was hired by former Rebels coach Barry Odom, who left the team last week to take over at Purdue.
Marion interviewed to become Odom’s replacement, but was passed over for former SEC coach Dan Mullen, who was formally introduced as the Rebels’ 14th football coach Friday.
UNLV interim coach Del Alexander shared the news of Marion’s departure Tuesday during a press conference ahead of the game against Cal (6-6) at SoFi Stadium, the Rebels’ first back-to-back bowl appearance in program history.
“There’s things that are going on behind the scenes,” he said. “You guys will find it out soon enough, but Brennan has decided to to move toward other opportunities, and we’ve collectively put our heads together (without him).”
In response to a follow-up question about who will be calling the plays in Marion’s absence, Alexander remained vague.
“That’s top secret,” he said with a laugh. “The game is pretty much scripted, you know? You have the normal down-and-distance-based calls, you’ve got the situations calls. As a staff, what we’ve done is we’ve put that together. One of us, if the camera can find him, will be making those decisions based on the group.”
Staying focused
Defensive coordinator Mike Scherer still appears set to coach, as he was seen wearing Rebels gear and spending time with the team as they chatted with LA Bowl host and former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski on the field at SoFi Stadium on Tuesday.
Mullen is reportedly pursuing fellow former Mississippi State coach Zach Arnett to be UNLV’s defensive coordinator.
That’s been the nature of things for the Rebels since they touched down in California, Alexander said. From a trip to Universal Studios to an immersive experience at Cosm watching the Raiders lose to the Falcons on Monday night, the team has had compartmentalize.
“We’re working tirelessly this week,” Alexander said. “Somewhere between trying to talk to (recruiting) signees and get instruction from Coach Mullen and make sure the players are having fun. The hours that are left are the hours that the offensive staff is coming together collectively to say, ‘What is our plan?’”
Despite all of the distractions, excursions and bowl perks, Alexander said the Rebels are focused on getting their first bowl win since 2000, when the late coach John Robinson led UNLV past Arkansas in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Same 0ffense
A Rebels and Golden Bears helmet sat on each side of the table, separated by the LA Bowl’s wrestling belt trophy, as eighth-year Cal coach Justin Wilcox and Alexander shared the podium Tuesday.
Wilcox said the Golden Bears spent “a fair amount of time” preparing for UNLV’s offense. He alluded to Marion’s impact as he called the Rebels’ offense explosive and high-scoring, while Alexander emphasized that the look won’t change.
“It’s the same offense,” he said. “After you spend 14 weeks together, or two years together, (it’s similar to the way that) no one player is going to dictate how the game is going to be played.”
The effort of keeping UNLV’s offense consistent will be bolstered by quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams and wide receiver Ricky White III. Williams was named the Rebels’ sole captain for Wednesday’s game, and White decided to participate after taking some time away from the team to think.
Cal’s unknowns
Starting Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza entered the transfer portal and opted out of the game. His backup, Chandler Rogers, is not expected to play due to injury.
This leaves Wilcox his third- and fourth-string signal callers, redshirt sophomore CJ Harris and true freshman EJ Caminong.
Harris made his sole appearance this season in a loss to SMU on Nov. 30, completing 6 of 11 passes for 75 yards with an interception and rushing for 26 yards on six carries. The transfer previously played at Ohio and was named MVP of the Bobcats’ 30-27 overtime win over Wyoming in the 2022 Arizona Bowl.
Caminong hasn’t touched the field this season.
“Things happen and rosters change,” Wilcox said. “CJ has played college football. He’s played in conference championship games. He was the MVP of a bowl game. He can play. … I’m really excited for CJ to get an opportunity.”
Cal wide receiver Nyziah Hunter entered the transfer portal and will not be available Wednesday. Starting offensive tackle Nick Morrow has also been ruled out with an injury.
One player will be familiar to the Rebels.
Senior defensive back Nohl Williams, who played at UNLV from 2020 to 2022, leads the nation with seven interceptions. He’s also tied for third with 16 passes defended and has a kickoff return touchdown.
“He is a total professional,” Wilcox said. “He’s going to play pro football, and we are just so fortunate to have had him, and he sets a really good example on how to become a good player for other guys in the room.”
Contact Callie Fin at [email protected]. Follow @CallieJLaw on X.
Up next
What: LA Bowl
Who: UNLV vs. Cal
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday
Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.
TV: ESPN
Radio: KWWN (1100 AM, 100.9 FM)
Line: UNLV -3; total 48
