The Nevada Sagebrush

The re-signing of Nevada football head coach Chris Ault is the best news the team has had since January 2011.

Some naysayers might say Ault single-handedly lost the Western Athletic Conference championship and the Wolf Pack’s bowl game last season. Some say he’s too old school; all washed up. Some say it’s time for a new face to the football team.

In actuality,  he’s the No. 1 asset for Nevada.

Nevada football head coach Chris Ault signed a two-year contract extension that will last through the 2014-15 season. Garrett Valenzuela/Nevada Sagebrush

Yes, Ault has made some debatable play calls in his career. Yes, he yells at players (and journalists). Yes, he uses some questionable language when coaching. Yes, he is old and stubborn.

However, the key qualities that mold Ault’s personality are passion and confidence, which are two of the most important traits a coach can acquire, as they are fundamental parts of the competitive spirit.

Nevada football has been successful with Ault at the helm because the team embodies his personality.

He most vividly displayed these attributes last season after a 30-10 loss to Boise State on Oct. 1. During the post-game press conference, I asked Ault what he said to the players after the game. I assumed it would be telling if he indicated whether he consoled or scolded the team. What he told the beaten Wolf Pack players must have been frightening, because I had to take a step back while he lectured me on what questions I should be asking.

This was after he nearly headbutted Reno Gazette-Journal football beat writer Chris Murray for asking what had happened to the Nevada offense since it performed so well the week prior at Texas Tech (on Sept. 24).

“I know you’ve seen a lot of football so use your head, and give that (Boise State) defense some credit,” Ault said as he stepped angrily toward Murray.

Ault isn’t afraid to show he hates losing, and it’s further displayed by his 226-103-1 overall record.

He pushes the limits of everyone around him. Just ask former Wolf Pack defensive tackle Brett Roy.  The NFL prospect was bleeding from the mouth during a football practice, and Ault had the audacity to tell him he wasn’t working hard enough. The 6-foot-3, 275 pounder spit blood at Ault’s feet, but Roy said it encouraged him to work harder.

No one wants a mouthful from Ault. Whether it’s a 300-pound beast of a man or a fellow Nevada coach, Ault instills a fear in them that’s necessary for an NCAA Division I football team to be successful.

So fans will blame him when the team loses because he can take it. He’s not Reno’s hero. He’s a guardian, a watchful protector.

Just kidding, but seriously, everyone in Nevada knows who’s in charge of Wolf Pack football, and it’s ignited a fire in players and coaching colleagues for the past 27 seasons.

It isn’t all fire and brimstone from the Nevada general, though. There’s a lighter side of Ault’s passion and confidence that rubs off on his team as well.

The guy lights up like a child during Christmas when he talks about the traditions of Nevada football. Ault may say the two words, “That’s special,” after just about every significant event, but you can tell he means it.

He meant it after a 37-0 bashing of rival University of Nevada, Las Vegas last season. There was no hiding his passion when the Wolf Pack won its 16th game in a row at Mackay Stadium last year (during what many considered a down year for the team that finished 7-6 with a bowl game appearance). You could hear the sorrow in his voice as he talked about walking his seniors into Mackay Stadium for the last time with no chance of winning the WAC championship two months ago.

Ault hides no emotion and makes a point to connect with people on a personal level (even if you’re just the sports editor at a student newspaper). Everyone should respect that in football — and in life.

Eric Lee Castillo can be reached at ecastillo@nevadasagebrush.com.

Related Posts:

• Nevada hosts Hawaii and seeks redemption
• Injuries pile up as bye week comes
• Pack paves path to WAC title
• Rethink Nevada football recruitment
• Seniors, Nevada, exit WAC with 56-3 blowout over Idaho