Rothschiller Promoted to Linebackers Coach

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Jake Rothschiller, who played for the Lobos from 2014-17, starting as a walk-on and earning a scholarship, has been promoted to a full-time assistant coach, and he will coach linebackers.

The move will allow for Rocky Long, who was linebackers coach along with defensive coordinator, to oversee more aspects of the defense.  Long will still help with linebackers as time permits.

Rothschiller is now the fifth UNM graduate on the 11-man coaching staff, joining Gonzales, Long, David Howes and Jason Lenzmeier.

Rothschiller joined the Lobos in 2014 as a walk-on and redshirted.  He eventually worked his way into a starting position as a safety.  He was named both defensive and team MVP in 2017, winning both the Colonel H.J. Golightly Award and the Bill Brannin Award.  He also served as a captain that year, voted on by his teammates.  His 91-yard interception return for a touchdown in the 2017 opener garnered him Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week honors.

He served as a graduate assistant for the past four seasons, a natural extension for a player that everyone from the coaching staff to even media referred to as a “coach on the field”.  Handling the linebackers will not be new to Rothschiller.  Since 2020, he has worked hand-in-hand with Long, coaching the linebackers and breaking down film.