The USAToday reports that the University of New Mexico has fired their head football coach Mike Locksley. It was rumored during the end of the 2010 season that Locksley would be fired, but some feel that the $1.5 million buyout was holding up making a coaching change.
NCAA rules violation (academic fraud) by assistant coaches under the previous head coach limited the number of scholarships Locksley could offer in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. This has likely impacted the team's recent performance.
In 2008, New Mexico's head coach was Rocky Long, and the Lobos finished 4-8. In that season according to the NCAA FBS Production model, New Mexico ranked #82 in offensive production, #37 in defensive production and #66 in overall total production. In terms of strength of schedule, New Mexico had a 59.17, which is close to average. (An exactly average strength of schedule equals 60.5).
After the 2008 season, head coach Rocky Long left New Mexico, and the Lobos hired Mike Locksley for the 2009 season. New Mexico finished 1-11 that season, with their only win over Colorado State. In terms of production, New Mexico ranked #113 in offensive production, #109 in defensive production and #113 in overall total production. The Lobos strength of schedule was 61.17 which was slightly easier than the previous season.
Unfortunately New Mexico's productivity worsened on both sides of the ball in 2010 and hit rock bottom. New Mexico was the lowest ranked (#120) offense and defense, making them the lowest (worst) team in NCAA football bowl subdivision in 2010. Strength of schedule was 60.58, which again is very similar to the previous two seasons, and almost exactly average.
This season (up to 9/25/11) when Locksley was terminated, the New Mexico Lobos were 0-4. Notice they were competitive with Colordo State (at the time the #104 ranked team and with Sam Houston State - a non-FBS school - which I use the default rank of 121). The loss to a non-FBS school, seems to be the last straw at UNM. In terms of production, through Sept. 25th, the Lobos were the #116th ranked offense, the #119th ranked defense, resulting in the worst overall productive team at #120 in the model. New Mexico's Strength of Schedule was equal to 71, meaning that their overall schedule was easier than many of the other schools in the football bowl subdivision.
NCAA rules violation (academic fraud) by assistant coaches under the previous head coach limited the number of scholarships Locksley could offer in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. This has likely impacted the team's recent performance.
In 2008, New Mexico's head coach was Rocky Long, and the Lobos finished 4-8. In that season according to the NCAA FBS Production model, New Mexico ranked #82 in offensive production, #37 in defensive production and #66 in overall total production. In terms of strength of schedule, New Mexico had a 59.17, which is close to average. (An exactly average strength of schedule equals 60.5).
After the 2008 season, head coach Rocky Long left New Mexico, and the Lobos hired Mike Locksley for the 2009 season. New Mexico finished 1-11 that season, with their only win over Colorado State. In terms of production, New Mexico ranked #113 in offensive production, #109 in defensive production and #113 in overall total production. The Lobos strength of schedule was 61.17 which was slightly easier than the previous season.
Unfortunately New Mexico's productivity worsened on both sides of the ball in 2010 and hit rock bottom. New Mexico was the lowest ranked (#120) offense and defense, making them the lowest (worst) team in NCAA football bowl subdivision in 2010. Strength of schedule was 60.58, which again is very similar to the previous two seasons, and almost exactly average.
This season (up to 9/25/11) when Locksley was terminated, the New Mexico Lobos were 0-4. Notice they were competitive with Colordo State (at the time the #104 ranked team and with Sam Houston State - a non-FBS school - which I use the default rank of 121). The loss to a non-FBS school, seems to be the last straw at UNM. In terms of production, through Sept. 25th, the Lobos were the #116th ranked offense, the #119th ranked defense, resulting in the worst overall productive team at #120 in the model. New Mexico's Strength of Schedule was equal to 71, meaning that their overall schedule was easier than many of the other schools in the football bowl subdivision.
| Date | Opponent | PF | PA | SOS | Venue | |||||
| 9/3/2011 | Colorado St. | 10 | 14 | 104 | Home | |||||
| 9/10/2011 | Arkansas | 3 | 52 | 29 | Away | |||||
| 9/17/2011 | Texas Tech | 13 | 59 | 30 | Home | |||||
| 9/24/2011 | Sam Houston St. | 45 | 48 | 121 | Home | |||||
| 10/1/2011 | New Mexico St. | Home | ||||||||
| 10/15/2011 | Nevada | Away | ||||||||
| 10/22/2011 | TCU | Away | ||||||||
| 10/29/2011 | Air Force | Home | ||||||||
| 11/5/2011 | San Diego St. | Away | ||||||||
| 11/12/2011 | UNLV | Home | ||||||||
| 11/19/2011 | Wyoming | Away | ||||||||
| 12/3/2011 | Boise St. | Away |