UNLV head coach Dave Rice talks to his players during the second half of their Mountain West Conference game against Fresno State Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, at the Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV won 73-61. (Sam Morris/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
UNLV coaches, from left, Todd Simon, Stacey Augmon, Dave Rice and Ryan Miller watch a free throw attempt during the second half of their Mountain West Conference tournament game against UNR Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at the Thomas & Mack Center. UNLV won 67-46 and will face San Diego State on Thursday. (Sam Morris/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
At the same time UNLV called a news conference to announce that Dave Rice had been fired — er, came to a "mutual agreement" with his athletic administration that he would step down as Rebels basketball coach — people were parking their cars and SUVs for "Disney on Ice" at the Thomas & Mack Center.