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New Mexico State coach Marvin Menzies on the verge of replacing Chris Beard at UNLV

Marvin Menzies

New Mexico State head coach Marvin Menzies looks on during practice for the NCAA college basketball tournament in Spokane, Wash., Wednesday, March 19, 2014. New Mexico State plays against San Diego State in a second-round game on Thursday. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

AP

UNLV appears to be close to hiring New Mexico State head coach Marvin Menzies to replace Chris Beard. Sources have told NBCSports.com that Menzies was targeted after Beard left. According to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, Menzies has verbally agreed to a deal.

The 54-year-old Menzies was previously a finalist for the position before withdrawing his name from consideration when it became clear that UNLV would hire Beard. But when Beard opted to take the Texas Tech job late this week -- after only spending a week as UNLV’s head coach -- UNLV opted to go back to Menzies.

During his stint at New Mexico State, Menzies had a lot of success as he went 198-111 in nine seasons with the program, making the NCAA tournament five times. In the past five seasons, New Mexico State has won either the WAC regular season or conference tournament title.

Menzies will essentially be starting fresh at UNLV as he inherits a roster that has very few scholarship players returning and a staff that will likely be entirely new. Former Runnin’ Rebel assistant Ryan Miller reportedly agreed to a two-year contract to become an assistant coach at TCU under new head coach Jamie Dixon on Saturday.

After everything that UNLV went through during this coaching search -- from the very public courting of Cincinnati head coach Mick Cronin to Beard leaving for Texas Tech -- they at least made a quick move in securing Menzies so he can get on the road during the important April live evaluation period the next two weekends. Menzies will certainly have his work cut out for him, but at least there seems to be some stability in place now going forward.