Dave Rice said his gameplan will get the Runnin’ Rebels back to their up-tempo offensive style.

"Winning is No. 1, I get that -- but style of play is going to be 1a," Rice said in a statement. "We're going to get out and run -- we’re the Runnin' Rebels. Everything will be up-tempo. We also want to be known for being consistent. Every day in practice and every single game, we want to be consistent. That is not exciting to hear and it sounds like coach-speak, but consistency leads to great results."

With Rice as an assistant coach, BYU ran their up-tempo offense with Jimmer Fredette leading the way and went to the Sweet 16.

"We'll have a learning curve anytime a new system is put in place, but we want our guys to have high expectations immediately," Rice said. "It's time to get to work."

BYU associate head coach Dave Rice accepted an offer Sunday to become the new coach at UNLV.

Rice, who played for Jerry Tarkanian on UNLV's back-to-back Final Four teams in the early 1990s before an 11-year run as a Rebels assistant, spent next to no time getting to work.

The Sun confirmed through multiple sources that San Diego State assistant Justin Hutson will officially become the first member of Rice's staff. Hutson spent the last five seasons heading up SDSU's recruiting efforts and coordinating the Aztecs' defense — both areas which contributed heavily to SDSU's storybook 2010-11 season that ended with a Sweet Sixteen berth.

Rumors are already flying regarding the other three spots on the staff — two assistant spots and a Director of Basketball Operations post — including some involving UNLV great, current Denver Nuggets assistant and former Rice teammate Stacey Augmon.

UNLV president Neal Smatresk shot down reports today that Larry Brown is a candidate to be the Rebels' basketball coach.

Brown, the only coach to win an NCAA and NBA championship, was fired as coach of the Charlotte Bobcats in December after a 9-19 start this season.

SI.com and ESPN are reporting Brown has been in contact with UNLV athletic director Jim Livengood, who announced four finalists for the position Tuesday.

Former Rebels players Dave Rice and Reggie Theus are considered the leading candidates. Smatresk, who is talking daily with Livengood, dismissed Brown as a candidate.

"That's the first I've heard of it," Smatresk said. "We just interviewed four people and I'm unaware that any names have been added to the list."

In his search for a basketball coach, UNLV athletic director Jim Livengood said he is working around the clock and considering several candidates. His conclusion could be coming soon.

Former UNLV players Dave Rice and Reggie Theus are each receiving strong community support. It appears the leading candidate is Rice, who met with Livengood over the weekend in Houston at the Final Four.

According to a source, former Indiana and Texas Tech coach Bob Knight, who retired in February 2008 and is working as an analyst for ESPN, has expressed interest in the UNLV vacancy.