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John Robinson returns for his sixth season as head coach at UNLV. Will it also be his last?

Robinson, who turns 69 in July, still has two years remaining on his contract. But just a little over a year removed from a heart attack, and with his wife, Linda, still battling to recover from multiple breast cancer surgeries, he has broached the possibility that this could be his last year as a head coach.

"I don't know," Robinson replied when that question arose. "We'll go one at a time."

The Rebels return 13 starters, including All-America safety Jamaal Brimmer, from an erratic 6-6 squad that was two blown short field goals away from an 8-4 mark and a bowl game. And after five full recruiting years, Robinson finally appears to have the kind of quality depth needed to be competitive with the top programs in the league.

"I'm optimistic about the atmosphere we have around here," Robinson said. "It's a veteran team that has a tremendous challenge with the schedule. But there's a kind of quiet confidence growing of, ‘Hey, we've got some players here.' "

The strength of the offense will be a deep group of running backs led by explosive 5-foot-7 senior Dominique Dorsey. Converted senior fullback Dyante Perkins and Ohio State transfer JaJa Riley both had impressive springs.

Receiver Earvin Johnson is being promoted as an All-America candidate by the school and figures to leave campus as UNLV's all-time leader in receptions and yards. Tight end Greg Estandia also is getting strong looks from NFL scouts. A big key will be the development of a second wide receiver to complement Johnson.

Three starters and several key reserves return on the offensive line.

Robinson's best recruiting job in the offseason may have been convincing Brimmer to return for his senior year. Brimmer anchors what should be a much-improved secondary.

The Rebels hit the junior college ranks hard after losing all three defensive line starters to graduation.

Tremayne Kirkland led the Mountain West Conference in punt returns with a 12.6-yard average as a freshman.

The big keys will be the development of quarterbacks Nantkes and Steichen, and the play of defensive newcomers like cornerback Charles Ealy and linemen Mario Hill, Isaac Watts and Isaiah Tafua. If the Rebels can avoid the injury bug, they have the talent to compete with the league's top teams.

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