With the 2022 college football regular season officially coming to a close on Saturday, there will be plenty of coaching moves taking place across the country with coaches getting fired, coaches leaving for other jobs, and programs hiring new coaches. And on Monday, the UNLV Rebels announced a big move regarding head coach Marcus Arroyo.
According to college football insider Pete Thamel of ESPN, Marcus Arroyo has been fired by UNLV, even though the team has continually improved under his leadership.
UNLV has let go Marcus Arroyo, per sources. Rebels went 5-7 this year and had a chance at a bowl.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 28, 2022
“UNLV has let go Marcus Arroyo, per sources. Rebels went 5-7 this year and had a chance at a bowl,” Thamel said in a Tweet on Monday afternoon.
It’s a pretty surprising move in the college football landscape, given the team’s turnaround. And the college football world had plenty to say about the decision on Twitter.
Sometimes the overall record doesn't tell the whole story of how well he does or doesn't work with others and specifically a new AD who didn't hire him. https://t.co/Xby5pZBT3h
— Jeff Caves (@JeffCaves) November 28, 2022
UNLV has fired Marcus Arroyo
A questionable firing
2020: 0-6
2021: 2-10
2022: 5-7 https://t.co/I4FexwAidE— CFB Home (@CFBHome) November 28, 2022
What am I missing here? UNLV was much better than usual this season. https://t.co/qLZldIFkZO
— Kellis Robinett (@KellisRobinett) November 28, 2022
That’s… something. https://t.co/g8HNeOwohv
— Desert Clone (@DesertClone) November 28, 2022
Wow…
UNLV went from 0 to 2 to 5 wins in Arroyo’s three year tenure.
They won 5 games in a season for just the second time in the last 9 seasons.
Note: They’ve won more than 5 games in a season once since 2004.
That’s an odd move… https://t.co/3IW1lDIjMC
— Jay Tust (@KTVBSportsGuy) November 28, 2022
Arroyo was hired by the team ahead of the 2020 season but has not quite lived up to expectations. In his three seasons with the Rebels, UNLV has just a 7-23 record. However, the team did have its best season since Arroyo took over this season, posting a 5-7 record. The Rebels went just 0-6 during Arroyo’s first season and then went 2-12 during the 2021 season.
With Arroyo now departing from the program, the team will be looking for a new head coach, which could cause some shakeup among Power Five assistant coaches.