“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…”
In the Tale of Two Cities Charles Dickens was clearly not referring to the University of New Mexico Football program. However, comparing the opening news conferences for two of its most recent head football coaches reveal two very different styles.
When Coach Mike Locksley was introduced as UNM’s head coach in December of 2008 he said “This isn’t a rebuilding project. I look at it as a renovation. I’ll be putting my personal touches on the great foundation that’s already been laid.” But it was his comment about lighting up the scoreboard and adding a third digit to the scoreboard that haunted his 2-26 record.
When Coach Bob Davie was introduced as UNM’s 31st head football coach (November of 2011) there was no talk of lighting up a scoreboard. There was some plain talk to the Albuquerque Journal, “So it’s gonna take a while to build this thing back up. I’m not gonna panic. I’m not afraid to lose a game to build a foundation for the future.”
Coach Locksley told fans what they wanted to hear, he talked of the possibilities. Coach Davie is telling things like it is, talking about the realties of walking into one of the worst college football programs in the NCAA.
Will Coach Davie have success? If he coaches like he handles opening news conferences, UNM will have a winning record before Davie’s contract expires.