Neal Smatresk at the center of Heart of Dallas bowl game

[Harry]

When the captains for the UNLV and North Texas football teams meet at midfield on New Year’s Day for the Heart of Dallas Bowl, they will shake hands and await the result of the coin toss that starts off every football game. When they get there, the Rebels will see a familiar face while the Mean Green see one they’ll know shortly — current UNLV President Neal Smatresk said he’s going to do the ceremonial coin toss.

That thumb flick will be a sort of passing of the torch as Smatresk prepares to leave UNLV to take the same position at North Texas on Feb. 3. In the meantime, he finds himself in an incredibly unique situation as he prepares to watch his current and future teams meet in a bowl game that means a lot to both programs.

“Two football teams and one president,” said UNLV Athletic Director Tina Kunzer-Murphy.

While that’s not entirely true — retiring North Texas President V. Lane Rawlins will be in his position until Smatresk takes over — it’s certainly an interesting situation. No one has been able to find a similar example, where a university leader was able to watch his two athletic programs play each other in the middle of his transition from one institution to the other.

Smatresk, who has said he’s taking the job to be closer to his family, was named the lone finalist for North Texas at the end of November. In the week leading up to the bowl announcement, when projections changed seemingly every hour and ADs were busy calling in favors, Smatresk was one of many following every ebb and flow.

“I was totally following it every minute,” he said. “I’m a fan. I’m in it.”

Read more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/dec/27/two-football-teams-and-one-president-smatresk-cent/

[Harry]

He should walk out to the 50 yard line, looking hobbled and tired, in a huge UNLV over coat.

Then, James Brown like, he should throw off the overcoat to show off his all green suit and start dancing.