ROCKY RETURNS
Ex-Lobo QB, head coach eager to help team rebound
Long is happy to be in the background in his happy homecoming
When Rocky Long arrived for his day back on a job for the University of New Mexico’s football program on Wednesday, he didn’t want any type of fanfare or press conference.
Long, a former UNM player and coach who retired as San Diego State’s head coach earlier this month, has returned to the Lobos as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
Maybe he could’ve been introduced during halftime of the men’s basketball game against SDSU at Dream-style Arena - the Pit on Wednesday night? That’s how his protégé and now-UNM head coach Danny Gonzales returned to the Lobos last month.
Long didn’t hesitate to deny that option, he said, as he sat in his office during an interview with the Journal on Wednesday morning.
“I really don’t believe that’s my place; that’s Coach G’s place,” said Long, who turned 70 on Monday when Gonzales announced on Twitter his mentor would return to UNM. “Assistant coaches don’t get introduced at halftime. In my opinion, that’s overkill.”
Assistant coaches also aren’t obligated to meet with the media.
“Yeah, so what are you doing here? Why are you here?” Long jokingly said with a smile. “I’d just as soon go about my business and stay in the background.”
When Long announced his retirement at SDSU on Jan. 8 he expressed that he preferred to be an assistant rather than a head coach.
He guided the Aztecs to an 81-38 record in nine seasons, led SDSU to three Mountain West Conference titles and a bowl appearance in all nine years as head coach. But he had been contemplating retirement because he had grown tired of the myriad duties that go along with the head coaching role.
However, when he retired he said he was unsure he could stop coaching. Three days into retirement he said he was convinced he wanted to continue coaching as an assistant, especially after he started getting phone calls asking if he was interested in openings.
Long, regarded as a defensive guru known for his expertise in the 3-3-5, would not reveal the specific programs wanting his services, but various media reports had him linked to openings at Syracuse, Mississippi State and USC.
“I had other opportunities,” said Long, who played at UNM from 1969-71 and was the head coach of the Lobos 1998-2008 with a 65-69 record (the most wins and most losses for a UNM coach). “But I didn’t know when I retired from San Diego State if I wanted to continue coaching or actually be retired . ... When I talked to Coach G he gave me an opportunity here. League? Salary? All that stuff went right out the window because it’s my school.
“My wife (Debby) and I think this is a special place in our life. As we get toward the end of my career, this is where we want to spend it. Most of our lifelong friends still live around here.”
At UNM, Long agreed to a twoyear contract that will pay him $250,000 in the first year, and $300,000 in the second year. He made $878,228 last year at SDSU, where he guided the Aztecs to a 10-3 record capped by a 48-11 win over Central Michigan in the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 21, four days after Gonzales became the Lobos’ head coach.
“It’s an emotional decision,” Long said. “It’s not an intellectual decision. It’s not a financial decision, for sure. UNM always has been a special place.
“I think Coach G is the very best guy for the job, and if there’s any way I can help this program get back to competitiveness and success then that’s what I’m here for. I’m not here for any other reason. Well, I like to coach football, I’m here for that. I’m back home because I want to make a difference.”
UNM’s defense in 2019 finish dead last in the nation, 130th, against the pass, allowing 412 yards per game, and the Lobos allowed 37 points per game, among several reasons they finished 2-10. Both Gonzales and Long said it will take time to improve the defense and the team.
Both expressed confidence that a dynamic of the protégé Gonzales working as the boss in charge of the mentor Long will not be an issue.
“There are no egos involved,” Gonzales said. “He’s going to run the defense. There’s no dynamic. He knows who I am. I know who he is. We’ll be great.”
Many of Long’s friends are thrilled about his return to UNM. Among them are Brad Bramer, 69, who played at UNM 1968-71 as an offensive lineman while Long was the quarterback. Before that they played at nearby high schools in California, Long at Alta Loma and Bramer at Claremont.
“I think he never wanted to leave (UNM) in the first place.” said Bramer, who lives in the East Mountains. “He’s back where he loves, with friends and the university he loves. The new hires that (Gonzales) has put together, they are absolutely wonderful. That’s what the program needs, people who know the culture and have a personal interest here.”