Locksley introduced as New Mexico coach

Dec 9, 2008 - 9:05 PM ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (Ticker) -- Former Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley received an early birthday present Tuesday when he officially was introduced as New Mexico's new football coach.

Locksley, who turns 39 on Christmas, becomes the fourth African-American head coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

"It is a great privilege for me to represent the University of New Mexico," Locksley said. "I am proud to lead the Lobo football family and I will be passionate about this position."

Before Locksley was hired at New Mexico, the only black coaches in the FBS were Miami's Randy Shannon, Buffalo's Turner Gill and Houston's Kevin Sumlin.

The ranks of black head coaches in the FBS had been cut in half following this season's ousters of Washington's Tyrone Willingham, Kansas State's Ron Prince and Mississippi State's Sylvester Croom.

"(Locksley) is the total package - a mentor to young men who stresses the importance of being a student and an athlete," New Mexico athletic director Paul Krebs said. "He is a coach who has been recognized nationally for being a top recruiter."

Locksley recently completed his fourth season as Illinois' offensive coordinator and his third as the quarterbacks coach for the Fighting Illini.

He also spent two season at Florida (2003-04) as the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator under current Illinois coach Ron Zook.

Prior to his brief stop at Florida, Locksley worked for six years at Maryland (1997-2002) in the same capacity.

"Although Mike has yet to reach his 40th birthday, he brings a wealth of experience to our program from some top-tier institutions," Krebs added.

A native of Washington D.C., Locksley succeeds Rocky Long, who was dismissed after 11 seasons at New Mexico.

Locksley was linked to the Syracuse job and also interviewed at Clemson before the Tigers removed the interim tag from Dabo Swinney.

At New Mexico, Locksley will attempt to revive a program that went just 4-8 this season under Long, who posted a 65-69 record with the Lobos.

New Mexico struggled offensively this season, averaging just 21.1 points per game and ranking seventh in total offense in the nine-team Mountain West Conference.

Locksley oversaw a dynamic attack at Illinois, which finished second in the Big Ten in total yardage (438.8 yards per game) and ranked third in the league in scoring (28.7 ppg). The Fighting Illini led the Big Ten in rushing in 2006 and 2007 before leading the conference in passing this season.