Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Aggie secondary coach takes job at San Diego

(The following story appeared in Monday's Las Cruces Sun-News online edition)

New Mexico State defensive backs coach Mike Rutenberg will not return to the Aggies next year, according to head coach DeWayne Walker.

Rutenberg, who has been on the NMSU staff since 2009, will become the defensive coordinator at the University of San Diego.

“He won't be back and we wish him the best,” Walker said.

The Toreros are a member of the Football Championship Subdivision (Division I-AA) and the football program does not offer scholarships. With that being said, Rutenberg will now be a defensive coordinator for a USD team that's had some success and produced some good coaches in recent years. The two most recent: San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh; and recently hired San Jose State head coach Ron Caragher.

To replace Caragher, the Toreros promoted former NMSU assistant coach Dale Lindsey (who was previously serving as the team's defensive coordinator).

Rutenberg joins Brad Bedell (offensive line) as assistant coaches who have left NMSU this offseason. The program will also not renew the contracts of offensive coordinator Jerry McManus and special teams coordinator Keith Murphy.

NMSU wide receivers coach R. Todd Littlejohn had also received some interest as an assistant coaching candidate at Northern Illinois, although Walker said he expects Littlejohn to remain on the Aggie staff.

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Any additions to the bare cup board, aka, aggie football staff?

Anonymous said...

Well at least one person in NMSU football knew when it as time to move to FCS. :-)