Tarkanian Era
Jerry Tarkanian pioneered the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) men’s basketball program in the late 1980’s early 90’s. During Tarkanian’s tenure he accumulated the nick name “Tark the shark” for his astounding coaching and riveting team throughout the years. Not only did he implement a legacy for the basketball team — he created an identity for the city of Las Vegas through the local University. Tarkanian and UNLV’s success created a nightly must-see entertainment, along with a sense of comradery throughout the city and country.
Throughout his career Tark the shark accumulated a record of 509–105 (.829) a long with four NCAA March Madness final four appearances and a 1990 National Championship. This iconic run as UNLV’s coach ended in 1992 for his final season. During this Tarkanian era UNLV compiled 11 regular-season Mountain West championships, 7 tournament championships and 12 NCAA March Madness tournament appearances — while 9 were consecutive.
In the most recent years UNLV has struggled to live up to the hype from the Tark era. Kevin Kruger, UNLV’s current head coach, has had glimpses of greatness on and off the court for the team. The 2021–22 season was Kruger's first year as head coach — ending 18–14 and 5th place in the Mountain West. This 18 win season was the best win total UNLV has had in 4 years. Sparking a glimpse of hope for staff, students, locals and fans all around, Kruger continued to rebuild. The following 2022–23 season Kruger and company started off strong 10–0 for the first time in 34 years, but still fell to 7th overall in the Mountain West conference at 19–13.
The lingering impact Tarkanian has on the locals of Las Vegas is still prominent. At the season opener of this 2023–24 season opener against Southern University while I was taking pictures of the game, I asked a gentleman I was sitting to a few questions of what brought him to the game. He was a born and raised Las Vegas local, after a few minutes of conversation he told me that he graduated from UNLV in ’93 and he was showing his son his, “national champion school from the 90’s”.
UNLV is currently 3–3 (.500) to start the 2023–24 season. The Tarkanian era will never be reproduced. Tarkanian's statue of him biting his famous towel will live on forever to Las Vegas. His legacy has served as motivation for decades and will continue to do so for the generations to come. However, the 1990 national championship season started their first 6 games 4–2, similar to the slow start this team is having.