Ault leads Nevada before his final game after 28 years at the helm in 2012.
(Photo Courtesy – USA Today Sports/Mark Rebilas)
We're in the midst of "Mountain West Preview" week here at CBR so it's perhaps only right that the news breaks out of Reno, Nevada that the Wolfpack will honor coaching legend and the man who put Nevada football on the map, Chris Ault, by naming the field at Mackay Stadium after him.
"Chris Ault has left an indelible footprint on the University of Nevada, Wolf Pack Athletics and college football, and it is only fitting that his name will grace the field on which he built that legacy of success and tradition," Nevada Director of Athletics Doug Knuth said. "We are pleased that we can honor Coach Ault for his Hall of Fame career and service to the University in this lasting way."
Ault may not be a name every college football fan knows by heart, but we can guarantee that you've seen his influence across the scope of football, probably without ever knowing it. He's the man behind the "Pistol" offense – a scheme that is now in use from pee-wee football all the way to the NFL – and already is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Just how good was Ault? Try 10 bowl game appearances in the 12 seasons he coached this team while in the FBS ranks. Or, how about his 233-109-1 career record over 28 seasons. Ault also set a record for most wins at his alma mater, passing the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant just this past season.
In total Ault has spent 41 of the past 48 years as a player, coach, or administrator at Nevada – dedication to one's craft and one university that is rare to say the least in these times. He also saw this team make the move all the way from DII football to the Mountain West conference today.
So, the next time the Wolfpack strap on the shoulder pads and helmets and walk out of the locker room, they'll be walking out to Chris Ault field at Mackay Stadium – an honor befitting the most important coach in Nevada football history and one that's not a moment too soon either.
For more of Andy's work covering the Wisconsin Badgers and the Big Ten as well as all things college sports follow him on Twitter @andycoppens.
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