I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Bill Ireland

Willis Ireland (April 29, 1927 – July 31, 2007) was an American college football and baseball coach in Nevada. He was the first head coach of the UNLV Rebels football team, UNLV athletic director and founder of the Battle for the Fremont Cannon. Additionally, he was head baseball coach at the University of Nevada, Reno. Ireland was born in remote McGill, Nevada, 330 miles (530 km) east of Reno, Nevada. As the coach of the 1966 Wolf Pack baseball team, he managed Fred Dallimore, who later coached the UNLV baseball team, and is the father of former San Francisco Giants player Brian Dallimore. In 1967 Chub Drakulich hired Ireland to start the UNLV football program. During their inaugural 1968 season, the Rebels were undefeated until the last game of the season. … more »