Barry Odom engineered the type of turnaround and on an accelerated timetable that few thought possible when UNLV hired him atop its program two years ago.
Now that Odom is back in a Power Conference setting, exiting UNLV after its Mountain West Conference title-game loss to host Boise State to the job at Purdue, UNLV must assess its vision for the program's future.
And while Odom's immediate success in Las Vegas -- 19 wins in two seasons -- has made the job more appealing than ever, the search is first looking inward.
Several sources tell FootballScoop that current UNLV offensive coordinator Brennan Marion is receiving full consideration for the permanent position as head coach.
While UNLV has received significant inbound interest in the job, sources tell FootballScoop, it is first and foremost fully vetting Marion to see if there's confidence to move forward with Marion at the helm.
It would mark a first-ever head coaching job at the collegiate level for Marion, who's served as a high school head coach in both California and Pennsylvania.
In rising through the coaching ranks, Marion has developed a wide network across the country that has made him a force on the recruiting trail.
With Marion as offensive coordinator, UNLV this season posted the No. 14 scoring offense at more than 36 points per game and ranked in the top-40 for total offense.
The opening Monday of the NCAA's Transfer Portal Window is a significant factor in the opening at UNLV, as well as additional spots such as North Carolina and West Virginia.
Players have 20 days -- Dec. 9-28 -- to enter the Portal and seek a new collegiate destination; hundreds of players entered their names into the Portal upon its opening.
There is one additional NCAA Transfer Portal Window before the 2025 season; student-athletes have 10 days to enter in late April.