From Ashton Jeanty’s Heisman hopes to the Boise State Broncos’ No. 17 ranking to the UNLV Rebels’ College Football Playoff path, there are storylines galore for the Week 9 Mountain West matchup. However, there is one throughline that left a lasting impact on both programs: former coach Tony Knap.
Tony Knap Revolutionized UNLV and Boise State Football
A Milwaukee, Wisc., native and Idaho graduate, Knap first stepped foot on Boise State’s campus in 1968, replacing the iconic Lyle Smith. He guided the Broncos through their first years as a four-year program, and in his eight seasons at the helm, he racked up a remarkable 71-19-1 record, securing three Big Sky championships and three Division II playoff berths.
His leadership not only raised Boise State to national prominence but also cemented his place in the school’s rich football history.
After the 1975 season, Knap set his sights on a new challenge, taking over the UNLV football program and aiding its transition from DII to the DI level.
In his first campaign, he led the Rebels to the DII playoffs, and after moving up to DI, Knap orchestrated arguably the biggest upset in school history as the undermanned Rebels shocked No. 8 BYU 45-41 in Provo, Utah, in 1981.
Across his six years in Sin City, Knap led the Rebels to a 47-20-2 record, once again proving his prowess as a program builder. Knap retired from coaching after his stint at UNLV and moved to Walla Walla, Wash., before passing away at 96 years old in 2011.
Knap’s success earned him induction into both the Boise State (1982) and UNLV (1989) athletics halls of fame. Second-year Rebels HC Barry Odom etched his name in the record books this year by becoming the first UNLV coach to win his first two season-openers since Knap achieved the feat in 1976-77.
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Though nearly half a century separates the two, Odom’s achievement echoes Knap’s early dominance and reminds fans of the standard the coaching legend set. As Boise State and UNLV prepare for another chapter in their rivalry, Knap’s memory serves as a bridge between the two programs.
Both schools celebrate his contributions to their histories, making this matchup more than just a game — it’s a tribute to the man who helped shape the programs into what they are today.
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