Montana’s Hauck new UNLV coach

College football: UNLV hired Montana’s Bobby Hauck as its next football coach, less than a week after he coached the Grizzlies in the FCS national championship game.

A person with knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press about UNLV’s selection of Hauck on Tuesday.

UNLV has announced plans to introduce its new coach today.

Hauck went 80-17 in seven seasons with the Grizzles and led the team to three Football Championship Subdivision national title games, including last week’s 23-21 loss to Villanova.

The 45-year-old Montana native began his college career as a volunteer assistant for the Grizzlies in 1988, after assisting a high school team in 1987.

He became Montana’s youngest coach in December 2002 at age 38.

Montana officials declined to comment.

The other finalist for the UNLV vacancy was former Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione.

Hauck will replace Mike Sanford, who was fired last month after going 16-43 and failing to make a bowl game in five seasons with the Rebels. The Rebels were 5-7 in 2009 and lost by 20 points or more five times.

UNLV took a while to fill its coaching vacancy because it was in the process of hiring a new athletic director – Jim Livengood, a former Washington State A.D.

Associated Press

Shackleford takes over Fever

Arena football: Former Spokane Shock coach is the new head coach for the Tri-Cities Fever after the former coach, Pat O’Hara, left to take the head coaching spot with the Orlando Predators of AF1.

The Tri-Cities Fever are now a part of the National Indoor League. The Fever played in the AF2 last season but were not a part of the merger with former AFL teams to form the new AF1. The Shock will play in the AF1.

Olgard Gatorade player of year

Volleyball: Mead High School 6-foot-5 senior Alexis Olgard is the Gatorade Washington Volleyball Player of the Year.

Olgard was a four-year starter and part of three State 4A championship teams for Mead, including this past season when she was the Most Valuable Player.

Olgard, who will play in college for USC, is also a member of the U.S. Women’s Junior National team.