Jerry Tarkanian, Former UNLV NCAA Championship Basketball Coach
Prior to the years when legendary UNLV head basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian was coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, most people across the nation had heard little about the small southern Nevada college.
Everything changed when "Tark the Shark" led the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels during his unprecedented 19 seasons as coach from 1973-1992. His incredible record of 509 wins and only 105 losses created an unequaled win-loss record of .829% while at UNLV.
"We just outworked everybody else," states Tarkanian in all honesty. "When I got out of college, I absolutely loved basketball. I could work at basketball 16 hours a day and be happy. I don’t have hobbies. I don’t fish, I don’t hunt, I don’t golf. I chose never to play golf because if I played it, then my coaching assistants would play it, and I didn’t want them playing."
Tarkanian began his college basketball coaching career in 1961, where he coached at Riverside, and then later at Pasadena Community College. He compiled an amazing 143-22 win-loss record, capturing four California JC championships in just six seasons. In 1968, he became coach at Long Beach State, where he earned an incredible 116-17 win-lose record over five seasons, with four trips to the NCAAs, two second, and two third rounders.
"Obviously, winning is the best part," states Tarkanian proudly. "We had so many great wins here. Our first one, going to the final four in 1977. I never experienced anything that exciting. We played full court, man to man defense. We went to the half court press. The next season we went to the full court press. The fans loved it. We played it harder than anybody else and just killed them."
During the 1989-1990 season, the Runnin’ Rebels scored an impressive 35-5 record and became the NCAA champions. "It felt great just getting to the final four, but then to win the whole thing by 30 points was just plain remarkable," beams Tarkanian.
"We just had unbelievable support, We sold out the convention center. When we got the new arena built, we sold it out to 19,000. You couldn’t get a ticket. It was the hottest social event in town. I’ll never forget, when we won the national championship, Frank Sinatra, who became a good friend, called to congratulate us.
"Irwin Molasky was one of our big boosters and a good friend who built the La Costa spa. In the early 1980s, I saw him and told him he looked great. He said I needed to take the 13-day longevity program at La Costa. It will improve the quality of your life.
"I wasn’t even exercising. I wasn’t eating right. I went with my wife and my daughter and learned so much. There is no doubt in my mind and in my wife’s mind I’d have been dead, maybe 10 years ago if I didn’t do it and get my health back in shape. I’ve been eating good and exercising ever since, and I feel great."
Off the court, one of Tarkanian’s fondest memories is a cameo in the movie "Honeymoon in Vegas" with stars James Caan, Nicholas Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker.
"This town is incredible. I love it. I still do. For the last 15 years as UNLV coach, Piero’s restaurant was always my place. It’s still my favorite place."
Coach Jerry Tarkanian helped create the legendary "dynasty in the desert." Fans nationwide will never forget how "Tark the Shark" helped put the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels on the map.
********** For the latest in Las Vegas luxury real estate: **********
Prior to the years when legendary UNLV head basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian was coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, most people across the nation had heard little about the small southern Nevada college.
"Obviously, winning is the best part," states Tarkanian proudly. "We had so many great wins here. Our first one, going to the final four in 1977. I never experienced anything that exciting. We played full court, man to man defense. We went to the half court press. The next season we went to the full court press. The fans loved it. We played it harder than anybody else and just killed them."
Receive your free VIP membership to my personal Las Vegas luxury real estate web site where you can search from over 23,000 Las Vegas homes and condos, 