LAS VEGAS (AP) – Calling UNLV “a gold mine,” Mike Sanford took over as coach of the Rebels on Monday after two years as offensive coordinator at high-scoring Utah.

In becoming a head coach for the first time, Sanford replaces retiring coach John Robinson.

“The UNLV job was one I looked upon with great respect over the years,” Sanford said in a statement. “Because of the way this university and city are emerging, this football program is a gold mine. … This football program is ready to explode.”

In his two seasons at Utah, the Utes went 21-2, including 11-0 this year and a No. 5 ranking in the AP poll. Utah also became the first non-BCS team to earn a berth in a BCS game, against Big East representative Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl.

Utah’s offense ranks third nationally in scoring at 46.3 points per game and total offense at 502.7 yards per game.

Before his time at Utah, Sanford, 49, was an assistant coach with the San Diego Chargers. He has also been an assistant at Southern California, Notre Dame and Purdue.

“Mike Sanford met all criteria that we set for a new coach from day one,” UNLV athletic director Mike Hamrick said. “We believe our fans are in for some exciting, wide-open football.”

Terms were not immediately released, but Hamrick said university regents would approve the contract as soon as Friday.

Robinson, 69, announced his retirement Sept. 26, citing family and health issues. During his six-year tenure at UNLV, the Rebels went 28-42 with one bowl victory.

In Robinson’s 12 years during two stints coaching USC, he was 104-35-4, winning the national championship in 1978. Robinson was coach of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams from 1983-1991.

AP-ES-12-06-04 1954EST