Special teams has always been an important aspect of any college football program, but this year it has become a point of emphasis for UNLV entering the second season of the Dan Mullen era.
Mitch Singler, who previously served as a special teams analyst with the program, was promoted to special teams coordinator before the start of fall training camp, taking over a unit that will feature a mix of returning experience and new faces this season.
Through the first portion of fall camp, Singler has been encouraged by the unit’s effort and attention to detail as the Rebels prepare for the start of the season.
“I really think that we give great effort. I really think they’re really locked in, detailed at what we do, but it’s just really making sure that at the end of the day, our specialists do their jobs and their part,” Singler said.
Singler will oversee the unit, but he won’t be doing it alone. Mullen has remained heavily involved in special teams, something Singler said has provided an opportunity to learn from a coach with experience in all three phases.
“He knows the game inside and out in all phases,” Singler said. “So to be able to collaborate with him, to know the ins and outs, and not only offense, but special teams and defense, and to learn from a great coach like that, it’s been really fun to kind of sit there, pick his brain.”
One of the players Singler will lean on is returning starting kicker Ramon Villela, who converted 15 of 20 field-goal attempts last season.
Villela said that, entering the 2026 campaign, he is focused on becoming a more complete athlete while improving his consistency and accuracy, particularly from beyond 30 yards.
“Honestly, I’m just focused on improving as an athlete,” Villela said. “Being a kicker, everybody says you just kick the ball, but I think just getting more athletic, getting more strength in my right (leg), and obviously you always want to get better consistency, accuracy, all that.”
Villela said he has also learned from former Rebels kickers Jose Pizano and Caden Chittenden, who brought different approaches to the position.
“Jose was just very consistent,” Villela said. “He did the same thing every time, every kick, and Chittenden, when he went out there, he thought he was going to make every single kick. He was just the most confident guy.”
While Villela provides continuity at kicker, Australian freshman Matt Choules is expected to handle punting duties after redshirting at Kennesaw State last season.
Choules began his football journey playing Australian rules football before training with ProKick Australia, a pipeline Mullen has utilized throughout his career.
Former UNLV punter Cam Brown, who transferred to Michigan after last season, also came to the Rebels through ProKick.
The connection helped make UNLV an appealing destination for Choules, who said Mullen’s involvement with specialists was a major factor in his decision.
“He’s the reason, as a specialist, you want to come here because he knows what he’s talking about and he just puts us in the best positions possible to perform,” Choules said.
“Getting out there and hitting that first ball is just going to, I think, give me that power to just keep going and get higher and higher,” Choules said.
Singler’s emphasis on special teams extends beyond the specialists. With UNLV carrying a roster full of players with NFL aspirations, he wants everyone to understand that special teams can be a pathway to earning playing time and eventually reaching the next level.
“If you really want to get to the NFL, then there are 41 guaranteed starting spots on special teams,” Singler said. “Go and make a name for yourself.”
