During today’s presser where Mr. Lobo Rocky Long
was given a
5 year contract extension (I’m not
going to give the amount as I’m old school and don’t think it is
anyone’s right
to know what another person makes monetarily.) and what struck me today
in
speaking to both Coach Rocky Long and Vice President of blah blah blah
aka
Athletic Director Paul Krebs is that the University of New Mexico is
striving
to become a regional and national power.
According to Krebs, “we have to get out of that
self
defeating mindset that New Mexico cannot attain the national
spotlight.” And
Krebs is right! We have a quality football coach, men and women’s hoops
coaches, baseball coach, and down the line. The Tow Diehm facility is a
nice
facility, the IPF is spectacular, that Lobo lane they are building
between the
track, IPF, and Rocky Long stadium is top notch. According to Krebs the
administration is looking at leveling
off the outdoor practice fields as they have put lights out there for
night
practices, they are also exploring how to increase stadium capacity
over 50K
but the most important thing… “Getting fans out to support Coach Long’s
teams.”
Simply
the best!
Krebs
said one of the ways to do this is to get folks to get
over that we are only New Mexico syndrome that has gripped this state
since the
beginning of time. The inferiority complex has got to go!
Well
today was one of those days of celebration for New
Mexico. A day when UNM ventured out spent the money and have officially
retained Coach Rocky Long for 5 more years. Krebs cited many reasons
why Coach
Long was kept at UNM. His road record, his conference record, his
program
building ability, the fact that UNM is seemingly bowl eligible every
year now,
and of course UNM finally has that bowl victory under their belt.
Rocky
with New Mexico Bowl trophy!
Rudy
C. and Bandito also spoke with Coach Long about his new
contract
Click
here to listen to our interview
A couple of things that everyone should know, not sure if it
made it out in today’s presser, but a couple of things that we have
ferreted out
here.
Rocky
Long and Paul Krebs had agreed on this contract nearly
6 months ago, but since neither speak “lawyer” they had to let the
mouthpieces
finish it all up.
2nd- Rocky turned down a 5 year guaranteed contract.
He has a 5 year extension, but it isn’t all guaranteed and that was
Rocky’s
choice…
My
favorite quote. “Just because I got the raise doesn’t
mean I’m going to coach any harder.
Does
that mean it all ends now? Of course not Paul Krebs and
Coach Long made it both very clear today that conference championships
and
national spotlight is on the agenda, however, it can’t be one man doing
it all.
UNM
needs their fans to step up! Buy those freaking
season tickets folks!