Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

O&N HOME | NFL MLB NBA NHL NCAAF NCAABk Nascar Golf Soccer Tennis Boxing Horse Racing All Sports

Lobos' Long steps down as coach

Mon 17th, November 2008

Albuquerque, New Mexico (Sports Network) - University of New Mexico head football coach Rocky Long announced Monday he will step down as coach of the Lobos effective immediately.

Long, the winningest coach in the program's history, is stepping down after 11 seasons with the school, having amassed a 65-69 record with five bowl appearances in seven seasons since 2002. The Lobos captured the 2007 New Mexico Bowl for their first bowl victory since 1961.

"Coach Long's decision to step down was unexpected," said UNM vice president for athletics Paul Krebs. "We can't say enough about the accomplishments and contributions that Rocky has made to the University of New Mexico. Because of Rocky's passion and devotion to his alma mater, the program has been elevated and we are optimistic about the future."

The 58-year-old had gone 46-40 since 2002, good for the third-best mark in the conference, and had led UNM as the only school in the conference to be bowl eligible with at least six wins in each of the previous seven seasons.

"For as long as people talk about Lobos football, they'll talk about Rocky Long, because for as long as we've been playing football at UNM, no coach has been more of a winner than Rocky, and his winning relationship with UNM goes back almost 40 years now," said UNM president David Schmidly.

New Mexico was the first FBS school to wrap up its regular season schedule this past Saturday, finishing 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the Mountain West Conference after a 20-6 loss to Colorado State. It was the worst season for the program since finishing 3-9 in 1998.