UNM rejects Davie’s appeal of 30-day suspension
ALBUQUERQUE — The University of New Mexico Board of Regents has decided not to hear the appeal of head football coach Bob Davie, clearing the path for the embattled coach to begin serving an unpaid 30-day suspension handed down by interim President Chaouki Abdullah on Feb. 8.
The university conducted three separate investigations into misconduct by Davie following accusations from a handful of players in the wake of the 2016 season. The findings of the monthslong investigations were released last week when Abdullah announced he was suspending Davie for conduct that he deemed to be out of step with the university’s mission for civil rights and ethical treatment.
The board met in executive session at the end of Tuesday’s three-hour meeting in the student union building. No announcement was made as the proceedings wrapped up, but UNM spokeswoman Cinnamon Blair confirmed the board’s decision later Tuesday.
A spokesman with the UNM athletic department did not have any information about when Davie’s suspension would begin or who would fill in for him on an interim basis.
The football team began its annual spring practices Feb. 9, a day after Davie’s suspension was announced. He was able to coach the team through the weekend and will continue to serve in that role until his disciplinary action begins.
Davie did not issue a statement regard-
ing the board’s decision, nor did the school make any kind of official announcement about the ruling.
Davie, 63, is entering his seventh season at New Mexico after previously serving as Notre Dame’s head coach for five years. He is 30-45 with the Lobos, leading them to consecutive bids in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl in 2015 and 2016. He is 65-70 in 11 seasons as a college head coach.
The Lobos finished 3-9 last season as the most in-depth of the investigations, one lasting approximately six months by the university’s Office of Equal Opportunity, dragged on from May to November.
Davie came under fire last spring when a group of graduating seniors from the 2016 team voiced their displeasure with his tactics during exit interviews with the school. Some accused the coach of using racially charged language during at least one practice while others suggested he maintained an air of intimidation with players and staff.
The investigations revealed no proof of wrongdoing, but they did find enough circumstantial evidence to suggest Davie had violated a number of university codes with respect to behavior and administration.
Davie denied the claims brought forth by his players, particularly with an accusation that indicated he tried to shame a female student who claimed to have been sexually assaulted by one of Davie’s players.
At last Friday’s practice, Davie said the ongoing investigations did not serve as a distraction to the team, a sentiment echoed by the team’s top two quarterbacks, Tevaka Tuioti and Colin Gerhart.