Lou Holtz and John Robinson, both former successful college coaches, are back in football to see if they can revitalize struggling programs.

"We have to create a miracle or a sense of passion first off," Robinson said Thursday after he was named the head coach at UNLV. "We've lost a lot of football games and we have to be willing to change."UNLV will really need sweeping changes to improve on its 0-11 record and 16-game losing streak dating back to last season.

"I think they're going to make a real effort to upgrade the program," said Robinson, who coached Southern Cal to high rankings in two tenures sandwiched around a stint with the Los Angeles Rams.

"That has nothing to do with me; I think that's just a fact. And I think it's one of those places where one would evaluate and say, 'Boy, could they do what Kansas State did?' And Las Vegas would be one of those areas (that could)."

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Robinson is the nation's sixth-winningest active coach with a career record in college of 104-35-4. He won his 100th college game against UNLV last year.

Holtz, who coached Notre Dame to a national championship and also coached the New York Jets, is making a comeback at South Carolina following a stint as a football analyst at CBS.

"Holtz has told CBS Sports he will replace Brad Scott as head football coach of the Gamecocks," the network's Internet site, CBS SportsLine reported Thursday. A source close to the university who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed it to The Associated Press.

Three other head coaching spots were filled Thursday. Tommy Bowden, who led Tulane to an 11-0 record this season, took over at Clemson; Carl Franks, a former assistant to Steve Spurrier at Duke and Florida, returned to Duke; and Kirk Ferentz, assistant coach for offense for the Baltimore Ravens, was hired at Iowa.

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