UNLV REBELS

June 16, 2009

LAS VEGAS - First team all-conference stars who went on to play in the NFL, former UNLV defensive backs Kevin Thomas and Sam Brandon were both back at Rebel Park this week, but this time on the other side of the coaching whistle.

The pair made up half of a group of former NFL draft picks who were on hand coaching up the youngsters in the unseasonably cool June temperatures. Longtime Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Leon Lett, who earned his bachelor's degree from UNLV just last month, joined Thomas (lettered at UNLV in 1998-2001) and Brandon (1998-2001) in overseeing the Renegades, a team made up of individual players in camp but not as part of their respective high school programs. Meanwhile, former Rebel linebacker great and New England Patriots draft pick Ryan Claridge (2000-04) was there coaching his defense from Las Vegas' own Del Sol High School.

Former New England draftee Ryan Claridge (L) reunited with former teammates such as KT.

They joined a large group of former Rebel lettermen who returned to campus last week either as coaches, camp refs, player relatives or just interested onlookers. Folks like Hunkie Cooper (lettered in 1990-91), Tyler Brickell (1997-2000), Brian Castro (1994-95), Gordie Ruiz (1984), Ray Cheetany (1999-2000), Darryl Johnson (1982-83), Randall Cunningham (1982-84), Jason Vaughan (1999-2000), Chris Bowser (2004-06), Mario Jeberaeel (2005-07) and Keith Kohorst (1981-82).

Sam Brandon was a fourth round pick by Denver in 2002.

Thomas, who was an All-America cornerback as a senior for former UNLV head coach John Robinson, says he is looking to make a career out of coaching football now that his pro career is over. The former Buffalo Bill suffered a career-ending injury and has already done a stint coaching with the now-defunct NFL Europe's Berlin Thunder team as well as an internship at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas.

"I'm doing everything I can to pay my dues and create as many contacts as I can," Thomas said. "The highlight out here is seeing how much these kids want to learn football."

Brandon, who originally came to UNLV as a receiver but went on to play safety for the Denver Broncos, lives less than football field away from Thomas back in Denton, Texas. The father of five daughters had done some coaching in the Pop Warner scene and volunteered at some other camps and now is looking at staring up a youth sports association in the Lone Star State.

Both former local stars had stayed in contact with their former position coach, 13-year UNLV assistant Mike Bradeson, which led to them reuniting in Las Vegas. Brandon seemed to be relishing his work on the field during the camp's final session on Monday.

"I really enjoy working with younger players to teach fundamentals," Brandon said. "You get to see them making progress right before your eyes."