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Assistant football coach urged to resign after arrest
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Ty Gregorak
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LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Saying it was important to put the interests of the football program and athletic department first, UNLV athletic director Jim Livengood told assistant football coach Ty Gregorak on Tuesday to resign or his contract won't be renewed when it expires June 30.
Gregorak was accused by police in Boulder, Colo., of stealing a .45-caliber gun and wallet from the car belonging to a strip-club bouncer on May 1. Formal charges are expected to be announced in a hearing Thursday in Boulder.
Livengood said Gregorak, the Rebels' recruiting coordinator and linebackers coach, used "horrible judgment" and placed himself in "an unacceptable environment."
"As much as I'd like to see a different outcome, that can't be my responsibility," Livengood said in explaining his decision.
Livengood said he suspected Gregorak will let the contract expire.
"You're only talking six weeks," Livengood said. "It would be a different situation if it was a month ago or two months ago, and he clearly understands he won't be renewed. I wanted him to have the option if he wanted to resign, he could."
Attempts to reach Gregorak and coach Bobby Hauck were unsuccessful. Gregorak, 31, coached under Hauck for seven seasons at Montana before following him to UNLV.
"Bobby is a Greg fan," Livengood said. "But Bobby understands the football program and athletic program are more important than what an individual does."
Gregorak was on a personal trip to Boulder when he allegedly took a gun and wallet from a bouncer's car. The bouncer, Joseph Benedetto, told police he had denied Gregorak entry into a strip club because he said Gregorak was drunk.
Gregorak told police he woke up later that morning and saw the items, but didn't know how they got there and didn't remember talking to the bouncer, but quickly returned the gun and wallet to Benedetto.
Boulder police recommended charges of first-degree criminal trespass and prohibited use of weapons, but it will be up to prosecutors on what formal charges to file.
"I have absolutely no knowledge if this is true, but it wouldn't shock me if all charges were dropped," Livengood said. "But that can't be the point in this. I feel horrible because Ty's a good young man and a good young coach, but we have a responsibility to the integrity of the program and perception of our program."
Livengood said a conviction in March for driving under the influence in Minnesota did not factor into his decision. Gregorak was cited in July, and was fined $380 and sentenced to a one-year probation. His Montana driver's license also was revoked.
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.
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@jrrebel-
"Green Dragon is a complete tool. Not even worth pointing out the deficiencies in his arguments."
Only a complete, uneducated tool falls back on this position to justify their utter inability to point out any deficiencies. This is usually indicative of deep-rooted inadequacies, both physical and intellectual.
Well now, THIS bodes well for the new coach. What an omen...
How many programs were dropped and how many more paychecks will this degenerate receive?
Good to see UNLV athletics is still as shady as always.
NOTE TO Sufferin' Succotash: I think UNLV's male athletic programs should be putin temporary suspension. Players' histories of NCAA violations (known & unknown), crimes (known & unknown), are a total embarrassment.
With Nevada's economy in such a turmoil, the university system's money would be better spent in beefing up curricula that will turn out the human resources that high-tech industries want. In turn they may want to establish a base in Nevada and help create businesses that can foster sustainable economic growth for all of Nevada.
New athletic assests and facilities? I say NO. Those things will not attract new industries to the state, and men's athletic department personnel and staff have not EARNED any privileges!!!!
OU Duck fan-
Compared to what? the Phil Knight/ Nike Memorial athletic facilities at UO or compared to UNLV?
There's the $12,000,000 Rochelle Athletic Center (opened 5 years ago), the new suites and club seating at War Memorial Stadium (debuting this year), the new state-of-the-art playing surface on the field (4 years old now), the multi-purpose gym/ Arena-Auditorium complex, and the 2-year old indoor practice facility adjacent to the stadium. Heads and shoulders above UNLV's facilities, and that's just in athletics.
@StupidCall-
Why are so many UNLV fans so blind to the importance of at least the appearance of ethics in a program?
This guy was the recruiting coordinator! He visited prospective student-athletes IN THEIR HOMES, WITH THEIR PARENTS! Perhaps your bar for upstanding is a bit lower than other parents of student-athletes, most of whom would be less than thrilled to hear that the guy in their home talking to their son about moving away under the auspices of his organization stole a loaded gun and a wallet while blasted out of his gourd.
Believe it or not, trust is a factor in such decisions. If UNLV has any hope of moving forward in BCS level football, it can't have this kind of baggage weighing it down as it runs through the airport that is the world of CFB recruiting.