Nick Garritano Takes the Helm of UNLV Baseball at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, USA
Examining the Coaching Career of a Local College Athletics Legend
College athletics in the USA frequently highlight stories of homegrown talent returning to their roots to lead a program. At the University of Nevada Las Vegas, this narrative has materialized with the appointment of Nick Garritano as the head coach of UNLV baseball. Garritano, a former UNLV football star and Athletics Hall of Famer, assumes the role after establishing a dominant presence in the local high school and junior college coaching circuits. His return represents a strategic shift for the Hustlin’ Rebels as they attempt to reclaim their position in the competitive landscape of NCAA Division I baseball.
Garritano arrives at UNLV with a staggering career coaching record of 948-389. This metric alone underscores a sustained culture of winning, but the context of those victories provides a clearer picture of his capabilities. He did not build this resume against mediocre competition; he achieved it in Southern Nevada, a region that produces a high volume of professional baseball talent. Understanding his trajectory from a high school assistant to a proven head coach is essential for grasping what he brings to the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Explore our related articles for further reading.
From the Gridiron to the Dugout: The “Nick the Kick” Era
Before he patrolled the dugout, Garritano was a record-setting placekicker for the UNLV football team. Known as “Nick the Kick,” he played for the Rebels from 1991 to 1994. During his final three seasons, he made nearly 80 percent of his field-goal attempts, converting 49 of 57 tries. He twice connected on 54-yard field goals, which stood as the longest makes in school history at the time. By the end of his collegiate playing career, Garritano held more than 10 program records and was the second-leading scorer in UNLV history.
His leg was a critical component of the 1994 squad that won the Big West Conference championship and the Las Vegas Bowl. In recognition of his contributions to the university, Garritano was inducted into the UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010, both as an individual athlete and as a member of that championship team. Interestingly, Garritano originally intended to be a two-sport athlete, having been a two-time all-state selection in both football and baseball at Chaparral High School in Las Vegas. He ultimately chose to focus solely on football to preserve his scholarship, a decision he has publicly noted as his biggest sports regret. This unfulfilled baseball playing career at UNLV now fuels his motivation to succeed as the program’s leader.
Building a Foundation in Southern Nevada High Schools
Transitioning from a successful collegiate athlete to a capable coach requires a different skill set, one that Garritano began cultivating immediately after graduation. He majored in kinesiology with an emphasis on education, fulfilling a long-standing goal to become a physical education teacher and coach. His first post-graduation role was at his alma mater, Chaparral High School, where he taught P.E. and assisted with the football, baseball, and wrestling programs.
The defining moment of his early career occurred when legendary local baseball coach Roger Fairless hired Garritano as his assistant at Green Valley High School. When Fairless resigned in 1999, he immediately pushed the 26-year-old Garritano to take over the head coaching position. Garritano initially resisted, citing his upcoming marriage, master’s degree work, and the purchase of his first home. Following advice from his father to embrace the challenge, Garritano accepted the role. Over 12 seasons leading the Green Valley Gators, he compiled a 316-118 record, secured two state championships in 2001 and 2003, produced six high school All-Americans, and saw 10 of his players selected in the Major League Baseball Draft.
Dominating the Junior College Ranks with the Coyotes
Following his high school success, Garritano transitioned to the junior college ranks to lead the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) Coyotes. The hiring process itself demonstrated his principled approach to leadership. When the CSN job initially opened, Garritano was passed over in favor of another candidate. When that candidate was dismissed amid rules violations months later, CSN approached Garritano again. He initially rejected the offer, stating they had hired the “best baseball guy” but he was the “best man” for the job. He only reconsidered after urging from Tim Chambers, the previous CSN coach who had moved on to UNLV.
Garritano’s tenure at CSN solidified his status as one of the most accomplished baseball coaches in the region. Over 16 seasons, he posted a 632-217 record. His teams won numerous conference titles, two Western District Championships, and made two appearances in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series in 2017 and 2024. He earned nine conference Coach of the Year honors, produced eight JUCO All-Americans, and had 22 players drafted by MLB teams. Crucially for UNLV baseball, Garritano used CSN as a direct pipeline, helping 190 players transfer to four-year universities, with dozens landing at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
The Family Connection to the Rebels
This pipeline included his own son, Nicky Garritano. After playing for his father at CSN, Nicky transferred to UNLV and played the past two seasons for the Hustlin’ Rebels. This direct familial connection to the current roster provides the new head coach with an intimate, ground-level understanding of the program’s recent culture, roster dynamics, and areas requiring immediate improvement.
Navigating the Modern Landscape of UNLV Baseball
Taking over a Division I college athletics program in the current era presents unique challenges that differ vastly from high school or junior college ball. Garritano inherits a UNLV baseball program that has not secured a NCAA tournament berth since 2014. He replaces Stan Stolte, who retired after a decade leading the Rebels. Garritano openly acknowledges the steep learning curve ahead of him, specifically regarding the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations, which operate differently at the Division I level than in JUCO.
Despite these hurdles, Garritano’s appointment is viewed as a stabilizing force. UNLV Athletics Director Erick Harper emphasized Garritano’s status as a proven winner and a respected leader with deep roots in the Las Vegas community. Rebuilding a 34-player roster requires not only tactical knowledge but also extensive local and regional recruiting networks—assets Garritano has spent 30 years cultivating in Southern Nevada.
Schedule a free consultation to learn more about UNLV athletics programs.
The Emotional Impact of Returning to the University of Nevada Las Vegas, USA
Beneath the statistics and strategic planning, Garritano’s return to UNLV is a deeply personal endeavor. He frequently reflects on the series of “what if” moments that defined his life: moving to Las Vegas at age five, choosing UNLV over other scholarship offers, and taking the Green Valley job despite his hesitations. Each decision led him back to his alma mater.
The homecoming is bittersweet. Garritano’s father, whom he credits as his greatest mentor and the driving force behind his coaching career, passed away in 2020. His mother is currently battling dementia. Garritano has openly expressed that his only wish is that they could share this moment with him. When he leads the Hustlin’ Rebels onto the field for Opening Day in February 2027, it will mark the first time in over three decades that he wears scarlet and gray, trading the royal blue of Green Valley and CSN for the colors of his youth.
Share your experiences in the comments below.
What This Means for the Future of College Athletics in Las Vegas
Hiring a local legend carries significant weight in college athletics. It signals an intention to prioritize local recruitment and community engagement. Las Vegas is a rapidly growing metropolitan area with a deep talent pool. Keeping top-tier local baseball talent home, rather than watching them migrate to programs in California, Arizona, or the SEC, is a persistent challenge for UNLV baseball. Garritano’s established relationships with local high school and travel ball coaches provide UNLV with a distinct advantage in addressing this issue.
Furthermore, his success at the JUCO level means he knows exactly how to identify and develop raw talent. Players who may be overlooked by major Division I programs out of high school often thrive in the JUCO system before transferring. Having a head coach who has personally evaluated and developed that exact demographic of player for 16 years gives the University of Nevada Las Vegas a highly specialized recruiting lens.
The transition from junior college to Division I is not guaranteed to be seamless. Garritano will need to adapt to the increased travel demands, the higher level of consistent competition, and the complex administrative duties inherent to leading a Mountain West Conference program. However, his track record indicates a high level of adaptability and an obsessive focus on player development.
Assessing the Long-Term Viability of This Hiring
Evaluating coaching hires in college athletics requires looking past immediate hype and analyzing structural fit. Nick Garritano represents a low-risk, high-reward investment for the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He requires no onboarding to understand the local culture, the media landscape, or the administrative structure of the state’s higher education system. He brings a culture of discipline and winning that has been tested at multiple levels of amateur baseball.
For a program seeking to end a decade-long postseason drought, continuity and local stability are valuable commodities. While the transfer portal and NIL dynamics will test his adaptability, his foundational skills—teaching, mentoring, and fielding competitive teams—remain intact. As the 2027 season approaches, the focus will quickly shift from the narrative of his return to the tangible results on the field. If Garritano applies the same formula at UNLV that brought him nearly a thousand victories at the high school and JUCO levels, the Hustlin’ Rebels can expect a significant shift in their competitive trajectory.
