Howes’ hire is about more than relationship with coach
When David Howes became University of New Mexico linebackers coach last week, making the jump from Rio Rancho High head football coach to NCAA Division I assistant, he said it all felt bittersweet. He also felt a sense of relief. Howes, 47, who went 90-41 in 11 seasons for the Rams, said he didn’t want the Rio Rancho players to find out that he was leaving the program from anyone else but him.
During an emotional announcement on the morning of Jan. 9, he told them he was planning to accept a job with the Lobos and brotherin-law/head coach Danny Gonzales.
One potential complication: It was a few hours before it became official, however, and a day before UNM intended to release the names of all the staffers.
“I just think maybe I jumped the gun a little bit,” Howes said. “I took a risk and I let them know that I may not be back. I told them that it wasn’t official. I don’t know how it got out there. Those players knew not to say anything because it wasn’t official and it wasn’t cleared. And it got out somehow that morning.”
Still, word spread quickly and local media outlets, including the Journal, reported that he was set to become the UNM linebackers coach. Later that day, it became official and “it was just a blessing at that point,” Howes said.
Howes is married to Gonzales’ elder sister, Tami. He said he met the family in 1990.
Gonzales’ predecessor at UNM, Bob Davie, had his son, Clay (tight ends coach), and his son-in-law Brian DeSpain (director of operations) on staff. Bob Davie was dismissed last fall after eight seasons on the job.
Gonzales has been asked if nepotism is a concern when adding Howes to the staff.
“No,” Gonzales said. “I’ve known him for a long time. He just happened to marry my sister. I have a relationship with him outside of that, a football relationship. I admire him as a football coach. He’s done an unbelievable job at Rio Rancho.”
Howes won two state titles with the Rams, in 2014 and 2016 when Rio Rancho was undefeated. He also guided Rio Rancho to the Class 6A state title game last season. His son, Joshua, is a junior at the school.
Gonzales, a former UNM assistant and player, insisted when he was introduced as Lobos head coach on Dec. 18 that he would reach out to local high school coaches with regard to assembling his coaching staff and recruiting.
Gonzales expressed confidence that Howes and his other new staffers are the right men for the job. While he did not provide names, he said other local high school coaches also were considered.
“As we go forward in the future and we have coaching changes, I will continue to consider local high school coaches,” Gonzales said. “I think there are some great coaches in Albuquerque, really in the state of New Mexico.”
Howes, an alumnus of both New Mexico State and UNM, said he has not heard of any complaints or grumbling from anyone in the community about being hired at UNM.
“I think there is always a concern with anyone when you start talking about family or nepotism or anything else like that,” Howes said. “But I also know that I am extremely qualified for this job. I know that I paid my dues and I’ve done what I needed to do to have this opportunity. But there’s always going to be naysayers and concerns, but at the end of the day, I’m here to do my part. Danny’s a professional. And I’m a professional. We don’t let those lines get crossed. … This is business. And this is about this program.
“This is about this university. This is about this community. This isn’t about our history.”