Former Rebels LB Bell ponders role as scout

Beau Bell, one of the greatest linebackers in UNLV history, was back at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday.

He watched the Rebels’ 31-23 victory over Hawaii from the press box, sitting next to seven NFL scouts. Bell is taking part in The Scouting Academy, where is learning details of the job.

“Coming here to UNLV, I wanted to come back home for one, and then getting the opportunity to mirror the scouts and see what they do,” Bell said. “I was just talking to some of the scouts here, and every team’s different. So I’m learning the general base of it and getting my feet wet to understand more about it. I’m getting real excited because I’d love to get a job like this.”

He recently retired from the Arena Football League, going out on a high note. He was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year after leading the AFL with 15 tackles for loss and 13 sacks, and was instrumental in the Philadelphia Soul winning the championship for the second season in a row.

Now, after seven seasons in the AFL, Bell has moved on to the next phase of his career and is the defensive coordinator of the expansion team in Albany, New York.

“There are not many people who can leave on their own terms, and

I’m blessed enough to do that,” Bell said. “I’m telling myself it’s time to go because you don’t need to keep banging your head against other men because there’s no benefit to it.”

Bell was the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year in 2007, leading the conference with 126 tackles and five forced fumbles. He also made 9½ tackles for loss, including three sacks, and four interceptions.