Rocky Long Steps Down In New Mexico

by Nestor on Nov 17, 2008 6:23 PM PST Comment 10 comments

Some very interesting news out of New Mexico. Rockly Long, who IMO is perhaps the best DC Bruins have had in last two decades is stepping down as the head coach of New Mexico:

Rocky Long essentially fired himself as New Mexico’s football coach, saying he wants what’s best for his alma mater.

Long surprised the university and the college football community Monday, announcing he is stepping down after 11 seasons to make way for someone who can lead the Lobos to a Mountain West championship.

“I want this program to be on top,” the former Lobo quarterback said. “I wanted it be on top as a player. I wanted it be on top as an assistant coach. And I wanted it to be on top as the head coach.

“I don’t see it happening with me as the head coach.”

The most successful coach in New Mexico history, the straight-talking Long said he took a hard look at the success the Lobos have achieved during his term but concluded they can’t compete for a conference title if he sticks around.

“I’m a realist,” Long said.

Long might be stepping down as a HC but he is open to a DC gig somewhere else:

Long wouldn’t characterize his decision as a retirement, saying he hopes to coach again as a defensive coordinator. He worked in that capacity at UCLA and Oregon State before coming to New Mexico and is very highly regarded.

“It’s a lot more fun being a coordinator. You’re in charge but nobody knows it,” Long said to laughter.

Gotta love the candor.

Now, why do I bring this story up?Perhaps Long would be an option should Walker moves on to a higher position in next couple of years.

I think Walker has the potential to emerge as the best DC UCLA has had in last three decades. I think he is the best one since Long left. However, given who we have had since then - Nick Alliotti, Bob Field, Phil Snow and Larry Kerr - we don't have any one good to compare him to. Still, I think Walker is doing a very good job this year and it would be great to have him around for at least one or two more season so that we can see a finished product with the recruits he has brought in since he arrived in Westwood. If and when that happens, Long could potentially be a great option for CRN.

Just something to think about.

GO BRUINS.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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Rocky Long

Rocky is the best DC we’ve had in decades. His defenses were aggressive and tough. He constantly attacked and put lots of pressure on the QB. I think Walker is at least one year away from a HC gig, provided the defense continues to do well. If Walker ever left, I think CRN would try for Kenny Norton, Jr., although Rocky is clearly more experienced. That being said, I think there is a greater chance of losing Norm Chow sooner than later. I just hope the administration can sweeten the deal for Norm to end up retiring at UCLA.

by bruin75 on Nov 17, 2008 7:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I am pretty confident

Chow will stick around at UCLA until we are back in the national picture. Also from folks who I know are very close to the situation CRN and Chow dig working with each other. Actually CRN has great chemistry w all of his coaches and is one of the biggest boosters of Walker.

Obama might have re-interjected “team of rivals” in the national conversation in recent weeks, but CRN has been practicing it to a perfection since he arrived in Westwood.

by Nestor on Nov 19, 2008 4:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh no, not team of rivals ...

It was written by academic and intellectual lightweight (and sometime liar) Doris Kearns Goodwin and has been shown to be a complete farce. So please, we shouldn’t look to that as our inspiration.

If anything, the Power, Seduction and War books by Robert Greene are far more applicable. Three volumes rife with strategy – something CTS never, ever understood.

by Seanny Rotten on Nov 19, 2008 8:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wasn't Rocky Long around at the same time as Coach Neuheisel?

I haven’t checked their respective pedigrees, but my sense is that there is some overlap. I totally agree with Bruin 75 about Coach Long. He was to defense what Homer Smith was to offense (and frankly I think Coach Smith is every bit as good as Coach Chow.) If we have even the slightest chance to get Coach Long back, I think we should do whatever it takes. That is not to denigrate Ken Norton Jr. or Coach Walker, but the body of work turned in by Coach Long as a DC is a gazillion times more noteworthy than that of either of the others.

I am confident that Coach Neuheisel will make an appropriate personnel decision if and when the time comes, but by the same token I would not be at all surprised if he had not already put in a call down to Albuquerque.

by Fox 71 on Nov 17, 2008 11:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

They missed each other

CRN left UCLA in January of 1995 after Donahue bypassed him over to bring in Toledo has the OC.

Toledo brought in Long in early 1996 after UCLA settled on him as Donahue’s replacement.

by Nestor on Nov 19, 2008 4:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I often wonder what would have happened if Long stayed with Toledo

Guess we’ll never know…

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Nov 19, 2008 8:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

More importantly

Rocky Long saw in Brian Urlacher what no one else did – a complete monster! Urlacher saw next to 0 playing time w/ NM’s previous HC, Dennis Franchione (hah!). It wasn’t until Rocky Long showed up and put Urlacher to work that anyone took notice of him.

by Seanny Rotten on Nov 19, 2008 8:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Rocky Long was DC while I was in school.

And, it’s never been the same since. Although, DW performance against SC in 2006 was certainly a high point. I remember our defense under Coach Long was not only dependable it was opportunistic. I remember in one game, sitting in the student section when momentum had shifted and we were in trouble. I turned to my brother and said, “No need to worry, we’ll just pick them off, and we’ll have another chance to score.” Then we picked them off, got the ball back, Cade moved it down field and we scored.

We had a great D under Coach Long. If DW left, it would hurt. But, I would get over it if Rocky Long came back.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Nov 19, 2008 11:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I second that

We were in school together at the same time. I’m still not sold on DW (though I am giving him somewhat of a pass this year) so I won’t be too brokenhearted if he left, and if Rocky Long came back, I would be excited.

by bruinbabe2000 on Nov 20, 2008 11:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Coach Walker

DW is interested in the UW job but they are not going down that path. They want a big name winner with experience at UW. DW would probably get a HC job at a smaller program. Wow, if the Rock returned—our D would rock.

by bruin75 on Nov 20, 2008 9:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs