The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels have added former Cal captain Ellie Monobe to their new-look staff as a assistant coach.
UNLV is just beginning a new era under head coach Bobby Folan. Folan was a Rebel assistant, but was promoted to interim head coach when Jim Reitz retired in April after a 35-year stint.
Now Monobe will join Folan as the new assistant for the men’s and women’s programs.
Monobe was most recently an assistant at UMass, where her team moved up to 2nd place in the Atlantic-10 confernece this past season.
Prior to that, Monobe was a standout swimmer for the Cal Golden Bears, captaining the team to a national title in 2011 and also helping the Bears win NCAAs in 2010. She graduated with a degree in American studies and then coached for San Jose State while earning a master’s degree in sport management.
“We are very excited to have Ellie join our program,” interim head coach Folan said in the team’s press release. “Her experience as a coach and swimmer will help take our teams into the next level as we move into the 2015-16 season.”
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity and I am looking forward to being a part of the Rebel family,” said Monobe. “During this transition year, I can’t wait to be a part of the tradition and success of UNLV swimming, while I’m also excited about moving back west.”
The UNLV women compete in the Mountain West Conference, while the men are the three-time defending WAC champs.
Best of luck! Go bears!