Chris Ault
Encyclopedia
Chris Ault is the current college football
head coach
of the University of Nevada
Wolf Pack
. Ault, along with John Gagliardi
, is one of two active coaches who have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
.
Ault won his 200th college football game October 9, 2009 when his Wolf Pack
beat Louisiana Tech
37–14.
Ault is credited as the creator of the "Pistol Offense
," which he instituted at Nevada in 2005. Since becoming the primary offense for Nevada, the Pistol has been used by other schools across the country. The Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL have been seen using the Pistol from time to time. Since installing the Pistol, Nevada has won shares of two WAC titles—in 2005 (with Boise State
) and 2010
(with Boise State
and Hawaii
).
Coach Ault also served as the athletic director
for the Wolf Pack, but relinquished those duties upon re-assuming the head coaching football job for his third stint in that position, in the spring of 2004. The first stint was 1976–92 and the second was 1994–95. Ault, as the athletic director, was the one responsible for the termination of head coach Chris Tormey
. He named himself as the replacement three days later, with the approval of University of Nevada President John Lilley.In addition the Nevada Board of Regents also approved Ault as the new head coach. A member of the university's faculty senate expressed concern at the perceived conflict of interest, especially since the salary of the head football coach exceeds that of athletic director.
in Education in 1968 and went on to complete an MBA
in 1971. He is married to Kathy Ault, and has three children: Lisa, Chris Jr., and Amy.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the University of Nevada
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno , is a teaching and research university established in 1874 and located in Reno, Nevada, USA...
Wolf Pack
Nevada Wolf Pack football
The Nevada Wolf Pack Football program represents the University of Nevada, Reno in college football. The Wolf Pack competes in the Western Athletic Conference at the Football Bowl Subdivision level of the NCAA...
. Ault, along with John Gagliardi
John Gagliardi
John Gagliardi is an American football coach. He is currently the head football coach at Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, a position he has held since 1953. From 1949 to 1952, he was the head football coach at Carroll College in Helena, Montana. With a career record of...
, is one of two active coaches who have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
.
Ault won his 200th college football game October 9, 2009 when his Wolf Pack
2009 Nevada Wolf Pack football team
The 2009 Nevada Wolf Pack football team represented the University of Nevada, Reno in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolf Pack were led by head coach Chris Ault, entering his 25th overall season at Nevada, and 6th season since becoming the head coach for the third time in 2004....
beat Louisiana Tech
2009 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team
The 2009 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team represented Louisiana Tech University in the college football season of 2009. LA Tech competed in the Western Athletic Conference and played their home games at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston, LA. The team was coached by Derek Dooley, who was in his...
37–14.
Ault is credited as the creator of the "Pistol Offense
Pistol Offense
The pistol offense is an American football formation and strategy developed in 2004 by Chris Ault, the University of Nevada head coach. It is a hybrid of the traditional shotgun and single back offenses. In the pistol offense, also commonly referred to as the "pistol formation", the quarterback...
," which he instituted at Nevada in 2005. Since becoming the primary offense for Nevada, the Pistol has been used by other schools across the country. The Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL have been seen using the Pistol from time to time. Since installing the Pistol, Nevada has won shares of two WAC titles—in 2005 (with Boise State
Boise State Broncos football
This page discusses the Boise State football program. For more Boise State athletics, see Boise State Broncos.The Boise State Broncos football program represents Boise State University in college football and compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I as a member of the Mountain West...
) and 2010
2010 Nevada Wolf Pack football team
The 2010 Nevada Wolf Pack football team represented the University of Nevada, Reno in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolf Pack were led by head coach Chris Ault in his 26th season overall and 7th since taking over the head coaching job for the third time in 2004. They played...
(with Boise State
2010 Boise State Broncos football team
The 2010 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Broncos were led by fifth-year head coach Chris Petersen and played their home games at Bronco Stadium. They entered the 2010 season with winning streaks of 14 games...
and Hawaii
2010 Hawaii Warriors football team
The 2010 Hawaii Warriors football team represented the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in the 2010 college football season. The Warriors, led by third-year head coach Greg McMackin, were members of the Western Athletic Conference and played their home games at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, HI...
).
Coach Ault also served as the athletic director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
for the Wolf Pack, but relinquished those duties upon re-assuming the head coaching football job for his third stint in that position, in the spring of 2004. The first stint was 1976–92 and the second was 1994–95. Ault, as the athletic director, was the one responsible for the termination of head coach Chris Tormey
Chris Tormey
Chris Tormey is an American football coach. Formerly the head coach at Idaho and Nevada, he is currently an assistant at Washington State, coaching the linebackers...
. He named himself as the replacement three days later, with the approval of University of Nevada President John Lilley.In addition the Nevada Board of Regents also approved Ault as the new head coach. A member of the university's faculty senate expressed concern at the perceived conflict of interest, especially since the salary of the head football coach exceeds that of athletic director.
Head coaching record
Personal
Ault graduated from St. Catherine's Military School;graduated from Nevada with a bachelor's degreeBachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Education in 1968 and went on to complete an MBA
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
in 1971. He is married to Kathy Ault, and has three children: Lisa, Chris Jr., and Amy.