Rocky Long Takes Syracuse DC Position
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Rocky Long rejoined the New Mexico Lobos three seasons ago with the idea of helping build the nation’s worst defense into a consistent top 50 defense. That mission was accomplished. The all-time winningest coach in Lobo history is headed to Syracuse to serve as the defensive coordinator for the Orangemen.
“I cannot thank Coach Long enough for everything he has done for me and for this program,” said Gonzales. “While this wasn’t an easy decision for him, it’s a tremendous opportunity for him. We accomplished our goal of improving our defense from where it was to where it is now.”
“It’s bittersweet, but our defense is on solid footing and this will allow Coach Gonzales to continue to grow as a head coach,” said Long. “I’m sure Coach Gonzales and I will talk frequently, but this was an offer I couldn’t pass up to run a defense at a Power 5 school in a great Power 5 conference. I may be moving to Syracuse, but my heart will always be with UNM and the Lobos. I consider New Mexico my home.”
Long leaves UNM in good shape defensively. In 2022, he ceded his linebacker coach duties to Jake Rothschiller, so positionally, the Lobo defensive coaching staff is intact, with Gonzales helping out on that side of the ball as well. The Lobos should finish in the top 50 defensively for the second straight year, something that hasn’t happened since Long was the head coach at UNM as UNM finished the 2007 and 2008 seasons in the top 50.
“I’m very appreciative to Rocky for coming back to The University of New Mexico and helping our program,” said Vice President/Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez. “More than anything, I’m grateful for his continued passion for the Lobos. I wish him all the best and I know that he will be cheering on the Lobos.”
Long rejoined the Lobos for what amounted to his fourth stint coaching with the university after winning the 2019 New Mexico Bowl as San Diego State’s head coach. He retired from his head coaching duties and came to UNM, the last coach named to Danny Gonzales’ first staff at UNM. He previously coached at UNM as a graduate assistant in 1972 and 1973, as a defensive backs coach from 1978-80, and of course as head coach from 1998-2008, where he won 65 games and led UNM to five bowl games in the most successful sustained period of Lobo football in program history.
