Dungy mentoring embattled New Mexico coach

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Locksley turns to Dungy as mentor</font size>



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New Mexico coach Mike Locksley says he's talked with Tony
Dungy about the difficulties he's faced this season. Photo:
Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images


E S P N
November 18, 2009



Embattled New Mexico football coach Mike Locksley says he has turned to
Tony Dungy as a personal mentor, KOAT-TV in Albuquerque, N.M., reports.

Locksley, who is winless on the field and was suspended after a physical
confrontation with an assistant coach, said he has been in touch with Dungy,
according to the report. Dungy, the former Indianapolis Colts coach and NBC
studio analyst, guided Michael Vick's transition back to football from prison.

"I see Coach Dungy being a guy with a wealth of experience and knowledge,
not just in football, but in life," Locksley said, according to the report. "He's
a class act. A guy that I have a ton of respect for and I thought it would
be another source of information for me to grow as a head coach."

Locksley said he talked to Dungy about how his first year on the sideline at
New Mexico has "been a whirlwind for me," according to the report.

Former New Mexico coach J.B. Gerald has alleged that Locksley choked and
punched him during the attack, while other New Mexico assistants tried to
separate them during a heated staff meeting on Sept. 20. Locksley, who
was suspended for 10 days without pay, admitted an altercation, but denied
punching Gerald. He and the university have disputed Gerald's charges,
saying the incident was nothing more than a shoving match.

But documents obtained by ESPN.com and "Outside The Lines" through New
Mexico's open records laws support Gerald's claim that he was choked and
that Locksley tried to punch him. Handwritten notes from a human resources
investigator who interviewed other assistant coaches backed Gerald's
allegation that he was choked and punches were thrown.

Information from ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach was used in this report.



http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4667247
 
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The Alleged Victim
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Former New Mexico coach J.B. Gerald.


Why Did New Mexico's Coach Punch His Assistant? - Whatever:

"According to a police report filed by Gerald, Locksley became angry and approached Gerald in an aggressive manner. Gerald told Locksley that not even his mother talks to him that way. Locksley, witnesses said, fired back that his mother wasn't paying Gerald $90,000 a year.

Then after all the harsh words, it was a simple "Whatever" from Gerald that brought Locksley back into the room after he had begun to leave."​
 
Locksley should have never taken that job. Dude is a hell of a recruiter, especially when it comes to getting talent out of the DC, VA, MD area, but those kids dont want to fuckin come to New Mexico. Its a shame because hes a hell of a coach, but you dont have alot to work with in terms of local talent, and the kids that he was recruiting when he was at Illinois don't want to come all the way down to New Mexico. He should have waited for a MAC job to open up or something.
Hes only going to be able to land a bunch of 2nd tier players from Texas, steal a few from DC (managed to sign Emmanuel Yeager), and players from NM who will have no impact. Its a shame because if he fails at New Mexico, he probably wont get another shot at a head coaching job. Sometimes its better to wait and not go for the first HC job that comes your way, even if you are black.
 
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