Rocky Long resigns from UNM

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Rocky Long is no longer the head coach of the New Mexico Lobos football team.

Long announced his resignation at a 5:00 pm news conference Monday, after spending 11 years as the team's top coach.

"We've had two years where we have done a terrible job of coaching," Long said. "In 2005 we did a terrible job of coaching, and this year we did a terrible job of coaching."

In a statement released by the University of New Mexico, Vice President of Athletics Paul Krebs said the resignation took him by surprise.

"Coach Long's decision to step down was unexpected," Krebs said. "We can't say enough about the accomplishments and contributions that Rocky has made to the University of New Mexico. He is arguably the most successful coach in the history of Lobo football."

On Aug. 19, Long signed a new five-year contract with the school extending his contract through June 30, 2013 and raising his salary from $439,000 to around $750,000.

The announcement comes after the Lobos finished the season with a record of 4-8 overall, 2-6 in the Mountain West Conference. The team hadn't lost that many games since Long's first season at the helm in 1998.

This season the Lobos failed to gain bowl eligibility for the first time since 2001. It was the longest streak in the school history and conference.

Long's job at New Mexico was his first head coaching experience, but he has held several positions with UNM:

1969-1971: Lobo quarterback (playing position)
1972-1972: Graduate assistant (coaching position)
1978: Offensive backfield coach
1979-1980: Secondary Coach
1998-2008: Head Coach