Felix got word that former Auburn coach Terry Bowden along with former Oklahoma State coach Bob Simmons are on NMSU's radar.
Neither have been contacted by NMSU for an interview but both are intriguing names with head coaching experience.
On a side note, apparently DeWayne Walker is getting serious consideration for the San Diego State coaching job. He looks to be a hot commodity.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
Mike Locksley
The University of New Mexico hired Mike Locksley as its new head football coach.
The school seems to have found an exiting, innovative coach. Locksley comes equipped as a great recruiter and a fine offensive mind. UNM needed both. The Lobos talked about wanting to find a new leader with a strong presence on the offensive side of the ball and it seems like Locksley fits the bill.
I just wonder about the expectations on UNM football. Will Locksley do more with the program than Rocky Long did? I know many would prefer to differ on this one, but I always thought that Long's Lobo teams played the game the right way and, for the most part, overachieved. He took the program to a number of bowl games and the team was always well prepared and solid defensively. Even this year, in a transitional season and with their starting quarterback hurt, the Lobos battled and competed more often than not.
Now Locksley comes in with the expectations that he can do more. One of the knocks on Long was that while he got average talent to over-perform, he struggled bringing elite talent in Albuquerque. Locksley comes with the reputation that he can in fact bring in some standout ball players into Lobo land. Will he be able to take the program to the next level? Easier said than done.
The school seems to have found an exiting, innovative coach. Locksley comes equipped as a great recruiter and a fine offensive mind. UNM needed both. The Lobos talked about wanting to find a new leader with a strong presence on the offensive side of the ball and it seems like Locksley fits the bill.
I just wonder about the expectations on UNM football. Will Locksley do more with the program than Rocky Long did? I know many would prefer to differ on this one, but I always thought that Long's Lobo teams played the game the right way and, for the most part, overachieved. He took the program to a number of bowl games and the team was always well prepared and solid defensively. Even this year, in a transitional season and with their starting quarterback hurt, the Lobos battled and competed more often than not.
Now Locksley comes in with the expectations that he can do more. One of the knocks on Long was that while he got average talent to over-perform, he struggled bringing elite talent in Albuquerque. Locksley comes with the reputation that he can in fact bring in some standout ball players into Lobo land. Will he be able to take the program to the next level? Easier said than done.
Will a good coach leave?
Something that's very tough to swallow is that a good coach that has any type of success at NMSU would probably leave in a matter of years anyway.
Someone mentioned this about DeWayne Walker - how if he were to be hired, he would probably leave after a couple solid seasons for greener pastures.
I'm not trying to single Walker out and say this to be true or not, it's just a fact of life in the world of sports. If Mumme took NMSU to a bowl game or two, I'm sure he would have entertained some offers.
The reality is that if NMSU hires an up-and-comer in the business, more likely than not, the Aggies are a stepping-stone program for them.
This is one of the hurdles, I'm sure, of hiring at a school like NMSU, i.e. a mid-major program, searching for an identity on the football field. If a coach is successful, chances are high he or she will leave. If a coach doesn't get wins, like Mumme, you're forced to get rid of them.
I don't want to put the cart before the horse on this one. Forget a good coach leaving, the Aggies need to find a good coach for one, and then two, have that good coach turn the team into a winner. But it would really be terrific if they could find that good coach and have him not only be a good coach here, but stay here to. Maybe it will happen. It just seems unlikely.
Someone mentioned this about DeWayne Walker - how if he were to be hired, he would probably leave after a couple solid seasons for greener pastures.
I'm not trying to single Walker out and say this to be true or not, it's just a fact of life in the world of sports. If Mumme took NMSU to a bowl game or two, I'm sure he would have entertained some offers.
The reality is that if NMSU hires an up-and-comer in the business, more likely than not, the Aggies are a stepping-stone program for them.
This is one of the hurdles, I'm sure, of hiring at a school like NMSU, i.e. a mid-major program, searching for an identity on the football field. If a coach is successful, chances are high he or she will leave. If a coach doesn't get wins, like Mumme, you're forced to get rid of them.
I don't want to put the cart before the horse on this one. Forget a good coach leaving, the Aggies need to find a good coach for one, and then two, have that good coach turn the team into a winner. But it would really be terrific if they could find that good coach and have him not only be a good coach here, but stay here to. Maybe it will happen. It just seems unlikely.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
LaVorick Williams
Someone on the blog posted that NMSU wide receiver LaVorick Williams was looking to possibly transfer. We did some digging today and here's what we came up with.....
http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-sports/ci_11156674
Williams was just a freshman last year but saw a decent amount of snaps and showed flashes of being a difference maker. If he does leave, I think it would be a big loss. I was looking forward to seeing him play in the future.
Again, nothing is guaranteed at this point and it appears that he wants to see who the next coach is before he jumps to any conclusions. Still, something to keep an eye on as the coaching saga unfolds.
http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-sports/ci_11156674
Williams was just a freshman last year but saw a decent amount of snaps and showed flashes of being a difference maker. If he does leave, I think it would be a big loss. I was looking forward to seeing him play in the future.
Again, nothing is guaranteed at this point and it appears that he wants to see who the next coach is before he jumps to any conclusions. Still, something to keep an eye on as the coaching saga unfolds.
Friday, December 5, 2008
New football name to look out for; volleyball team; NMSU hoops
So Jay Norvell's name has surfaced as a candidate for the NMSU coaching position. Don't know how seriously to take this or not but it is someone to keep an eye on. Norvell is currently an offensive assistant coach at Oklahoma, a team which had a potent offense this past season.
....
The Aggie volleyball team advanced past the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night. This really is a great story. People talk about wanting successful Aggie teams. This is a successful Aggie team! I know, it doesn't have the luster of a football or a basketball. But we're talking about a top 25 program that is playing for something big. I'll be the first to admit it, I don't see the volleyball team winning an NCAA title but if they win on Saturday, they are in the Sweet 16. That is incredible to me.
Mike Jordan's club was 0-4 in the NCAA Tournament lifetime going into Friday's match. They got the monkey off their back though. The team's a winner.
....
Basketball team is in Denton Saturday night to face North Texas. I know it's early but I think this is a big game for Aggie hoops.
Hear me out on this one. They played well in Long Beach, but lost. They were beaten soundly by Kansas, although we won't say they played that bad in Lawrence. Kansas is Kansas and NMSU made it a game for about 30 minutes or so.
But they stand at 2-3. They're 0-2 on the road trip. A win over the Mean Green will get them back to .500 and give them a 1-2 mark on the trip. That is acceptable to me. 0-3 on the trip though? Not so much. They gotta win one away from their building. They were close against Long Beach, but they still fell short.
The Aggies have shown some spunk to me on the basketball court early in the season. If they win Saturday, I remain optimistic. If they lose, I'll be a little down. It's hard to get a reading on this team out of the gate. Every time they take the court, we learn a little bit more. A win on Saturday would be a positive.
TF
....
The Aggie volleyball team advanced past the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night. This really is a great story. People talk about wanting successful Aggie teams. This is a successful Aggie team! I know, it doesn't have the luster of a football or a basketball. But we're talking about a top 25 program that is playing for something big. I'll be the first to admit it, I don't see the volleyball team winning an NCAA title but if they win on Saturday, they are in the Sweet 16. That is incredible to me.
Mike Jordan's club was 0-4 in the NCAA Tournament lifetime going into Friday's match. They got the monkey off their back though. The team's a winner.
....
Basketball team is in Denton Saturday night to face North Texas. I know it's early but I think this is a big game for Aggie hoops.
Hear me out on this one. They played well in Long Beach, but lost. They were beaten soundly by Kansas, although we won't say they played that bad in Lawrence. Kansas is Kansas and NMSU made it a game for about 30 minutes or so.
But they stand at 2-3. They're 0-2 on the road trip. A win over the Mean Green will get them back to .500 and give them a 1-2 mark on the trip. That is acceptable to me. 0-3 on the trip though? Not so much. They gotta win one away from their building. They were close against Long Beach, but they still fell short.
The Aggies have shown some spunk to me on the basketball court early in the season. If they win Saturday, I remain optimistic. If they lose, I'll be a little down. It's hard to get a reading on this team out of the gate. Every time they take the court, we learn a little bit more. A win on Saturday would be a positive.
TF
Disappointing news
Tried calling the USC football office this morning for Norton without any luck. Here's an article from the L.A. Daily News saying that he's not interested in the position, according to sources.....
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_11143351
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_11143351
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Does having a coordinator hurt a new coach?
My question is simple: Does having a defensive coordinator in place, in this case being Joe Lee Dunn, effect the hiring process in trying to bring in a new coach?
I suppose a new coach could just get rid of an assistant or two and bring in his own guy if he didn't want them there. But at the same time, Dunn is under contract and the NMSU brass would rather have him here than pay him for doing virtually nothing.
Dunn is going to be on the road this weekend recruiting so he is going about the situation business as usual. I think most coaches want their own staff in place and don't want to inherit anybody. Particularly if that coach is a Norton Jr. or a Walker, i.e. defensive guys who want to carve their own path. They would be more likely to bring in their own defensive coordinator than rely on Dunn.
Dunn did a good job last season without much help. Him and his staff coming on board was one of the few bright spots for the team. When NMSU brought him in last year I thought of this dilemma. ‘This guys is coming here because of Mumme. What if Mumme loses his job next year. That would suck for Dunn.’ Well, we're here. Joe Lee is in place for now. We'll see next month if he's still around or out.
As for Earnest Wilson, I think his standing is a bit more secure. For one, he was the recruiting coordinator and understands the kids in the program as well as the fabric of the community. He was also on the offensive side and I would think an offensive coach, in this case, would be easier to hold onto than a defensive one. McKinley Boston indicated that he wanted to keep some sort of continuity on offense, at least systematically speaking. Wilson is familiar with what the Aggies were doing. And, he was a good coach and a good man.
Lets hope it works out for both of these coaches, whatever might happen. They deserve it.
I suppose a new coach could just get rid of an assistant or two and bring in his own guy if he didn't want them there. But at the same time, Dunn is under contract and the NMSU brass would rather have him here than pay him for doing virtually nothing.
Dunn is going to be on the road this weekend recruiting so he is going about the situation business as usual. I think most coaches want their own staff in place and don't want to inherit anybody. Particularly if that coach is a Norton Jr. or a Walker, i.e. defensive guys who want to carve their own path. They would be more likely to bring in their own defensive coordinator than rely on Dunn.
Dunn did a good job last season without much help. Him and his staff coming on board was one of the few bright spots for the team. When NMSU brought him in last year I thought of this dilemma. ‘This guys is coming here because of Mumme. What if Mumme loses his job next year. That would suck for Dunn.’ Well, we're here. Joe Lee is in place for now. We'll see next month if he's still around or out.
As for Earnest Wilson, I think his standing is a bit more secure. For one, he was the recruiting coordinator and understands the kids in the program as well as the fabric of the community. He was also on the offensive side and I would think an offensive coach, in this case, would be easier to hold onto than a defensive one. McKinley Boston indicated that he wanted to keep some sort of continuity on offense, at least systematically speaking. Wilson is familiar with what the Aggies were doing. And, he was a good coach and a good man.
Lets hope it works out for both of these coaches, whatever might happen. They deserve it.
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