Lobo fans can expect to see plenty of Urlacher
UNM grad, pro football Hall of Famer friend of new coach
Danny Gonzales, at his introductory press conference as University of New Mexico’s new football coach, told everyone that people would see former Lobo great and Pro Football Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher around UNM a lot more.
Gonzales didn’t waste any time proving that statement to be true.
The Lobos’ coach had his friend and former teammate with him at the 14th annual New Mexico Bowl on Saturday. Urlacher, who lives in Arizona, made the rounds at a few tailgate parties and then sat in a suite with Gonzales and his family for the game to watch San Diego State dismantle Central Michigan, 48-11.
“I’m very happy for Coach Gonzales to be named the next head coach at UNM,” Urlacher said in a statement provided to the Lobos, who posted it on social media. “This is great for our university to have someone who is from Albuquerque and cares about our school. I know he will get our program back where it should be. He is a great coach who cares about the kids he coaches. He is a good man and a good friend.
UNM is lucky to have a coach of his caliber leading our football program.”
Gonzales said he has been on a whirlwind since he spoke at the press conference at Dreamstyle Arena — the Pit on Dec. 18.
He is assembling a coaching staff and has put together a recruiting plan, all the while he continues to promote the program, encouraging support from the community. He was introduced on the first day of the signing period for football commitments, so instead will concentrate more on the spring signing period: Feb. 5 to April 1.
At the press conference, however, he did speak of recruiting in-house.
“My first and most important job is to recruit the current players on this team,” Gonzales said. “I want them to be Lobos. I want them to stay Lobos. This whole transfer portal has changed college football. I’m OK with that because I’m going to be there with them. I want them to know that I’m one of them and I want them to be here. We’re going to build this program with them. They’re going to have the honor and the privilege to protect the past, the present, and the future of Lobo football.”
Gonzales, on 610 AM radio’s The Opening Drive on Monday morning, said the Lobos will have a new offensive coordinator. He also said he wanted to announce his coaching staff all at once. More than likely that will be finalized next week.
GRIFFIN EXCITED: A few UNM football players attended Gonzales’ press conference last week, including wide receiver Jay Griffin IV, who missed six games this past season due to personal reasons.
Griffin, who will be a senior next season, said he is excited about Gonzales, who is the type of coach that can motivate him to play for the Lobos.
“What stood out to me was that he wants to be involved with the players and he wants to build a team and community that everyone can be a part of and everyone can be proud of,” Griffin said. “I think that’s big for getting players and people to buy into the program.”
Griffin would not provide specifics on what he experienced this past season and why he missed games. He said he will compete in track as a sprinter. Last year, he finished as the Mountain West Conference champion in the 200 meters for indoor track.
“This season I was just dealing with a lot of personal things that really took my focus away from being out there with my team, but I’m in a much better place now,” he said. “I’m now focusing on the best person and the best athlete that I can be for the track team and the football team. I’m very excited to get started. I know all the players are excited and I feel like it’s going to be a good season.”