COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The University of New Mexico had eight first time selections to the all-Mountain West Conference football team, while head coach Rocky Long was named MWC Coach of the Year the league office announced this morning. New Mexico’s eight first and second team all-conference selections this year were the most in the history of the program and second only to MWC Champion Colorado State (12), while Long became the fourth UNM head coach to receive league Coach of the Year honors. Running back DonTrell Moore was named MWC Freshman of the Year and was one of the Lobos’ three first team selections, along with senior linebacker Charles Moss and junior safety Brandon Ratcliff.
Junior offensive tackle Jason Lenzmeier and sophomore offensive guard Claude Terrell were second team offensive selections, while junior defensive ends D.J. Renteria and Daniel Kegler were named to the second team defense. Junior wide receiver Dwight Counter earned a second team honors as a punt returner. Honorable mention accolades went to senior nose tackle Hebrews Josue, junior linebacker Billy Strother and sophomore linebacker Nick Speegle.
With his Coach of the Year selection, Long joins three other UNM head coaches to win the award. Dudley DeGroot was the Skyline Conference pick in 1952 while Marv Levy earned the same honor in 1957. Dennis Franchione was voted Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 1993 and ‘97. In his fifth year, Long led New Mexico to a 7-6 record and its second bowl game in 41 years. UNM also finished in sole possession of second place in the Mountain West with a 5-2 mark. Moore became the third Lobo ever to receive Freshman of the Year laurels after gaining 1,117 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns in his rookie season. He joins Winslow Oliver (1992) and current Ratcliff (co-player, 2000) as the only UNM player to win the honor. Linebacker Johnny Jackson was Western Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year in 1981. Moore’s selection is also historic as he becomes the first freshman in school history to be named to the first team and the first freshman to earn first or second team honors in Mountain West Conference history. Y