July 17 – New Mexico football’s all-time winningest coach has found a new home.
Former UNM head coach and defensive coordinator Rocky Long has been hired as a defensive analyst at Division II Fort Lewis College, the program announced Wednesday. Long, 74, served as defensive coordinator at Syracuse University last season.
“Rocky Long is a college football legend,” Fort Lewis coach Johnny Cox said in a statement. “We are adding one of the greatest minds in football and a great person to our team.”
Quarterback at UNM from 1969-71, Long returned as head coach of his alma mater in 1997 and led the Lobos to five bowl games in 11 seasons. Despite nearly unprecedented success at UNM—its 65 wins are the most by any coach in the program’s history—Long left the position in 2008, citing a feeling that he could take the program no further.
Shortly thereafter, Long was hired as San Diego State’s defensive coordinator before being promoted to head coach in 2011. In 11 seasons leading the Aztecs, he won three Mountain West titles (2012, 2015, 2018) and never had a breakout season. defeats.
Long resigned from his position at SDSU in 2020 and returned to UNM as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach under former head coach Danny Gonzales for three seasons. He left again to serve as Syracuse’s defensive coordinator in 2023 before parting ways with the program after head coach Fran Brown was hired in December.
Known for his innovative 3-3-5 defense, Long’s hiring at Fort Lewis marks the first time he has not served as a head coach or coordinator since he was defensive backs coach at TCU in 1988.
“Football has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Long said in a statement. “Coach Cox has given me the chance to be an analyst, evaluate film and help with game plans on defense. I’m looking forward to using my experience to make an impact defensively.”
Fort Lewis finished 0-11 in 2023, Cox’s second season at the helm. The Skyhawks have not won a game since October 5, 2019 and have not had a winning season since 2015.
