RENO, Nev. >> In the bustle between classes near the Joe Crowley Student Union, something is missing.

None of the Nevada students is wearing Wolf Pack gear. No caps, shirts, or anything else signifying support of the school’s athletic teams. On this Thursday afternoon two days before a home football game against Hawaii you wouldn’t be able to tell what school this is by the students’ attire. Perhaps this is what happens when the team is 3-4, including recent losses to rival UNLV and conference doormat Wyoming.

It changes as you get closer to the Nancy and Bob Cashell Football Center. This is the domain of student-athletes and they’re easily identifiable not just because of their large and fit bodies, but by the sweats festooned with the names of their school and their sport.

And this is where you find Nick Rolovich, in his large but sparsely appointed office.

"Hey, I’ve still got my Hula Bowl stuff," he says to a visitor, as he pulls two footballs out of a cabinet. He was MVP of the now-defunct college all-star game in 2001, after quarterbacking Hawaii to a 9-4 record.

Now he’s Nevada’s fourth-year offensive coordinator, devising a game plan with which to attack his alma mater’s defense Saturday.

His name still comes up often as a potential replacement for UH coach Norm Chow, who at 2-5 is in the midst of likely a fourth losing season. He did not retain Rolovich as the Warriors OC, and Nevada has beaten Hawaii each of the past three years with him in that role, outscoring UH 126-51.

But Nevada’s offense has been inconsistent this season and especially recently, averaging just 19 points in the two Mountain West losses to the Rebels and Cowboys.

"We’re not playing good enough football offensively right now for me to think about other jobs," Rolovich said. "I feel really good about this group of kids. And I feel bad for them and the time and effort they’ve put in. We’ve got to find ways to score points. That’s what takes up my time."

After two four-year starters in Colin Kaepernick and Cody Fajardo, Nevada is breaking in a new quarterback, junior Tyler Stewart. Results have been uneven, but Rolovich sees potential.

"He doesn’t run like those guys," Rolovich said. "But he might be the smartest, the most disciplined."

Despite three winning seasons in the last four (all 7-6), Nevada is 28-30 since going 13-1 in 2010 (Kaepernick’s senior year, when Hawaii dealt Nevada its only loss). There is some restlessness for the Wolf Pack to get over the hump under second-year head coach Brian Polian.

"They have a few things to figure out to turn it around," said Kika Kaululaau, a captain of the 2001 team from Waianae who has made his home here. "With the success of Kaepernick, Wolf Pack football was put on the map. That makes it tough when things go the other way."

I did see one person wearing a Wolf Pack jacket Thursday. It was Renee Brittain, 66, who lives in nearby Sparks and works at The Sands Regency Casino Hotel.

"Good year, bad year. I don’t care," she said. "They’re the greatest to me. I just go to support the team, win or lose." 

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at Hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quick-reads