2024 is a year that the Rebels fans won’t forget anytime soon. UNLV went on to finish 11-3 with a national ranking of No. 23 for the first time ever. And the crowd was louder than ever. The Rebels saw attendance go to 140,000, the highest since 2004.
If that wasn’t enough, their linebacker Jackson Woodard, wide receiver Ricky White III, and safety Jalen Catalon earned First-Team Academic All-America honors. UNLV was winning on the scoreboard and in the classroom. Now, as the 2025 season is right around the corner, the only question is, what’s next for the Rebels?
Dan Mullen Shaking Things Up Early at UNLV
On December 12, 2024, UNLV decided to push its program to a higher level. Following the departure of former HC Barry Odom to Purdue, they hired the former Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen. Unlike most programs that switch up coaching, Mullen did not walk into a mess.
View this post on Instagram
Mullen walked into a team that had a historic run. The issue that he’s expected to deal with is the fact that 2024’s team was built on the backs of seniors. Twelve of the 15 All-Mountain West selections from last season are now gone. But Mullen is not panicking. In fact, he’s already pulling off a small miracle.
The Rebels didn’t implode in the transfer portal after Odom left for Purdue. They instead did the exact opposite. Most of the core stuck around, and Dan Mullen brought in some fresh talent. Now, that kind of loyalty in today’s portal-happy world is rare.
“You know, when you look at the number of guys that stayed, the amount of talent that stayed here, I think what you’re seeing is the guys believing,” Mullen said. “They’re here for the right reasons.” While it is true that Mullen has work to do, it is no patch-up job. He is building a solid team, and step one of that process is reinventing the offense.
Dan Mullen’s system has always been pass-heavy and aggressive. They are built to explode on the scoreboard. It made Kyle Trask the top passer in the country in 2020 and turned dual-threat QBs into legends. UNLV will likely be doing the same. While there were a few visits to the portal, it has not been as aggressive as some other colleges.
RELATED: UNLV AD Admits School Can’t Afford Final 3 Years of Dan Mullen’s Contract
And that is largely because the UNLV Rebels still have a foundation. The roster isn’t gutted. Sophomore defensive end Fisher Camac and running back Jai’Den Thomas are going to be names to watch this season.
There’s also redshirt freshman Damien McDaniel and linebacker phenoms Melvin Laster and Charles Correa. With the Mountain West Conference looking at a realignment in 2026, Dan Mullen’s revamp couldn’t have come at a better time.
Mullen has the playbook, the pedigree, and the players. Now, it’s about pulling it all together before the window slams shut. And if this start is any clue, the Rebels might not just stay competitive, they might just take over. After all, Mullen’s Rebels are just getting started.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
