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Monday, December 08, 2008

Lobos Hire Locksley for Football Coach

By Greg Archuleta
Journal Staff Writer
      Merry Christmas to the University of New Mexico football team. You have a brand new head coach.
    Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley will be introduced at a news conference Tuesday at 3 p.m. as the successor to Rocky Long. IIllinois head coach Ron Zook on Monday confirmed two Web sites' reports of Locksley becoming the Lobos' 29th head coach all-time.
    "I knew this day was coming eventually," Zook said by phone from Champaign, Ill. "I'm happy for him. I'm sad in the respect that I'm losing not only a great friend and a great person and colleague, but also a great football coach. I can't say enough good things about the person."
    ESPN.com and FootballScoop.com both reported early Monday morning that Locksley, whose 39th birthday will fall on Christmas Day, had accepted the position — he'll be a first-time head coach.
    UNM athletics director Paul Krebs would not confirm the hire Monday. Efforts to reach Locksley on Monday were unsuccessful.
    Locksley is in his fourth year as Illinois offensive coordinator. He served as running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Florida from 2003-04 under Zook as well, and held the same positions at Maryland from 1998-2002.
    The new hire certainly is a departure from the 58-year-old Long, one of the best defensive minds in the country. Long was 47 when he arrived from UCLA to make his head coaching debut.
    UNM is noted for its youthful hires during its football history. Bill Weeks (1960-67) was 31 when he took over the Lobos. Marv Levy (1958-59) was 33. Rudy Feldmen (1968-73) and Mike Sheppard (1987-91) each were 35.
    Locksley's résumé fits the criteria Krebs said he sought a day after Long resigned on Nov. 17 after 11 years.
    Krebs stressed the need for a strong recruiter. In 2007, he was a Rivals.com Recruiter of the Year finalist and Sports Illustrated named him a top-20 national recruiter.
    "He's a great recruiter; he's a great motivator," Zook said. "He cares about people. He helps young men be successful, and that's what coaching is all about, whether it be in the classroom or on the football field or in just the social family lives. That's why he's been so successful."
    UNM's AD said the new coach must run an exciting offense. Illinois was ranked 19th in the nation in total offense at 438.8 yards per game and passing offense (269.3) despite a 5-7 record in 2008.
    Quarterback Juice Williams is No. 7 in the nation in total offense at 324.3 yards per contest.
    The Fighting Illini were fifth in the nation in rushing offense (256.8 ) in 2007 behind running back Rashard Mendenhall, who was a first-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in April. That team finished 9-4 and played in the Rose Bowl.
    "We're a spread offense," Zook said. "We know we have to be able to run the football, but our passing attack is probably more like a pro attack in how you spread the field. At Illinois, we've been more of an option team because that is what our talent led us to. At Florida, we probably threw the ball more. It just depends on the personnel that's available. Any system that's successful has to be flexible enough to do the things that your players can do."
    Krebs said the coach has to be able to sell the program and generate interest within the community.
    "I'll tell you what, as soon as you meet Mike Locksley, it won't take him any time to earn your respect and friendship. People will see that quickly."
    Finally, Krebs wanted a strong, CEO-type leader.
    "No question in my mind he's ready," Zook said. "You
    "He's helped us build a great, great foundation here. We feel like we've got a chance to be an awfully good football team next year, thanks in large part to Mike."
    If Locksley can do the same for the Lobos, they'll certainly have a Happy New Year as well.
   
Mike Locksley biography

    2006- University of Illinois (offensive coordinator, quarterbacks)
    2005 University of Illinois (offensive coordinator, tight ends)
    2003-04 University of Florida (running backs/recruiting coordinator)
    1998-2002 University of Maryland (running backs/recruiting coordinator)
    1997 University of Maryland (running backs)
    1996 Army (receivers/tight ends)
    1995 University of the Pacific (outside linebackers)
    1994 U.S. Naval Prep School (defensive coordinator/defensive line)
    1993 U.S. Naval Prep School (defensive coordinator/defensive backs)
    1992 Towson University (defensive backs/special teams)
    Home Town: Washington, D.C.
    Birthdate: Dec. 25, 1969
    Family: Wife, Kia; Sons, Mike, Jr. (19), Meiko (15), Kai (10); Daughter, Kori (8)
    Education: B.S. Business Administration and Marketing — Towson, 1992
    Playing Experience: Towson, 1988-91
    Bowl Games: Rose Bowl, 2008; Chick-Fil-A
    Peach Bowl, 2004; Outback Bowl, 2004; Peach Bowl, 2002; Poulen/Weed Eater Independence Bowl, 1996
    Honors & Awards: 2007, Recruiter of the Year Finalist (Rivals); 2007, Hot Young Assistant Coach (Lindy's); 2006, Top-20 National Recruiter (Sports Illustrated); 2006, Top-10 Big Ten Recruiter (Rivals); 2005, Top-25 National Recruiter (Rivals); 2003, Top-25 National Recruiter (Rivals)

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