Bill Ireland

Background

Ireland was born in remote McGill, Nevada, 330 miles (530 km) east of Reno, Nevada.

Career

Additionally, he was head baseball coach at the University of Nevada, Reno. As the coach of the 1966 Wolfpack baseball team, he managed Fred Dallimore, who later coached the University of Nevada, Las Vegas baseball team, and is the father of former San Francisco Giants player Brian Dallimore. In 1967 Chub Drakulich hired Ireland to start the University of Nevada, Las Vegas football program

During their inaugural 1968 season, the Rebels were undefeated until the last game of the season.

The rebels lost their first match against in-state rivals University of Nevada, Reno. Ireland, wanting an award to symbolize the rivalry, obtained a replica of the Howitzer John C. Fremont had brought with him in his expedition to Nevada. Nineteen seventy marked the first Battle for the Cannon, with University of Nevada, Las Vegas avenging their loss and evening the series.

After a disappointing 1–10 record in 1972, Ireland resigned his coaching position. In 1973 Ireland became the athletic director of University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In this position he hired Jerry Tarkanian as the University of Nevada, Las Vegas basketball coach.

He was also instrumental in the construction of both the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas and the Lawlor Events Center in Reno.

Achievements

• He was the first head coach of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Rebels football team, University of Nevada, Las Vegas athletic director and founder of the Battle for the Fremont Cannon. On October 8, 2012, Governor Brian Sandoval announced that one student-athlete a year from the University of Nevada will receive the "Bill Ireland Award.".

Membership

Ireland is a member of both the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and University of Nevada, Reno Halls of Fame.