April 17, 2007
by Elaina Matsko
UNM Athletics Media Relations
The New Mexico football team has four new faces on its coaching staff this spring, all on the offensive side of the ball. I had a chance to meet with new running backs coach Buzz Preston and new wide receivers coach Matt Wells after another windy practice on Tuesday. Check back on Friday morning for my interviews with offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin and offensive line coach Jason Lenzmeier.
Preston spent the 2006 season as the running backs coach at Stanford and served in the same capacity at Notre Dame from 2002-04. All together, Preston has 27 seasons of collegiate coaching under his belt, including two stints at Stanford, plus UNLV, Washington State, Southern Illinois and Hawai’i, his alma mater. He has been a part of eight bowl teams.
A native of Los Angeles, Preston received a bachelor’s degree in Speech from Hawai’i in 1982. He was a two-year letterwinner (1978-1979) with the Rainbow Warrior football team.
Wells spent the past five seasons as tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator at Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane played in three bowl games in four seasons between 2003-06. Wells came to Tulsa after spending five season (1997-01) as an assistant coach at Navy. From 1998-2000, Wells served as the head junior varsity coach and offensive coordinator.
A three-year letterman at Utah State, Wells played quarterback for four years (1993-96), and was the starter as a sophomore. A three-time all-Big West Academic selection, Wells was a member of Big West Conference championship teams in 1993 and 1996.
Click on the links below to listen to my Q&A with the coaches:
All-Access: Interview with running backs coach Buzz Preston
All-Access: Interview with wide receivers coach Matt Wells
Top-5 Tuesday Practice Observations
By Alfredo Moreno
UNM Athletics Media Relations
1. The Lobos’ three-wide receiver set to open spring practice has featured returning starters Travis Brown and Marcus Smith, along with sophomore Daryl Jones. Brown and Jones have been lined up outside with Smith in the slot. Brown was a first team all-conference performer in 2006 and has looked sharp early in spring practice. Smith, an honorable mention all-MWC pick last year, could pose some real match-up problems for the defense if he gets isolated against a safety or No. 3 corner in the slot. Jones, meanwhile, is a big target at 6-3, 207 who could have a bright future at the position as he continues to improve.
Matt Wells helped Tulsa reach three bowl games in the past four years before coming to UNM. |
2. I’m predicting that junior cornerback Glover Quin will step into the spotlight and make a name for himself in the Mountain West Conference this year. Quin’s lack of interceptions as a first year starter in 2006 overshadowed his outstanding coverage skills and physical play on the perimeter. His conference-leading 12 pass break-ups helped him earn honorable mention all-MWC recognition, but he and junior teammate DeAndre Wright will both be strong first team candidates in ’07. Quin has gotten off to a nice start early in spring practice with solid coverage and a nifty interception during 7-on-7 drills today.
3. We know the UNM defensive line is deep and experienced, but almost every player up front added significant size and strength in the offseason. Starting nose tackle Wesley Beck has bulked up from 264 pounds a year ago to 279, while his back-up, Phillip Harrison, has added 11 pounds of muscle to weigh in at 291. Defensive end Jeremiah Lovato went from 251 to 260, while end Kevin Balogun has added 21 pounds to his frame in the past year and is now weighing in at 281. Starting end Kendall Briscoe is 271 pounds, while second team all-MWC honoree Tyler Donaldson gives the Lobos an athletic, speed rush threat at 6-4, 226.
4. The Lobos are going with a three-headed monster of sorts in the kicking game. Seniors Eric garrison and John Sullivan are getting most of the reps, but junior Yousuf Shakir is in the mix as well. Garrison and Sullivan have both looked solid in tough kicking conditions the first two days. Sullivan, in particular, has added a lot size and strength since joining the team in the spring of 2004, growing two inches and adding 12 pounds of muscle.
5. New offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin is a stickler for details. Spring practice will be critical for the Lobo offense as it polishes its execution of Baldwin’s multiple set attack and the new OC has been making sure the players perform all facets crisply and correctly. No player has been exempt from Baldwin’s instructions and corrections early in the first two practices, but if the offense clicks early in the season, the foundation the coaching staff established in April will be a big reason why.