Lobos Coach Mike Locksley Goes Loco
The man of the hour was a surprise. The person that many wanted to talk to was New Mexico head man Dave Locksley, the coach of a team that’s 0-4 with three of those four losses being blowouts. On Sept. 20, Locksley got into an argument with his receivers coach, J.B. Gerald. Locksley escalated the fight by throwing a punch, apparently splitting Gerald’s lip, and they had to be separated by the rest of the coaching staff. This incident just adds to the rough start that Locksley has had in New Mexico. In May, only six months into his new job, he was accused of sexual harassment by an administrative assistant. When taking into account the sexual harassment charges, the 0-4 start and now the fight with an assistant coach, Locksley was asked whether he feels lucky he hasn’t been suspended. – Daily Herald
When did New Mexico become the conference’s Oakland Raiders, and what in the name of Al Davis is going on in Albuquerque? First-year coach Mike Locksley still hadn’t figured out the shortcuts to the football offices when he was hit in April with a complaint alleging sexual harassment and age discrimination. Then on Monday, it was announced Locksley punched wide receivers coach J.B. Gerald on Sept. 20 and subsequently was reprimanded by the athletic department. And don’t forget about the Lobos’ 0-4 start, their worst in 15 years. To his credit, Locksley didn’t assign an assistant coach to handle Tuesday’s Mountain West Conference teleconference. And he didn’t “no comment” the expected questions that came his way. “I take full responsibility,” Locksley said. “It’s something I should’ve handled differently.” He wouldn’t comment on the complaint filed by former administrative assistant Sylvia Lopez to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission because it is pending. Locksley sued Lopez’s attorney in August for defamation of character. Regarding Gerald, Locksley said he wants him on staff. “J.B. has to make a decision about whether to move on, and he’s working through it,” Locksley said. “He has to make the best decision for his future and for his family.” As for Locksley, even discounting the on-field record and the EEOC complaint, the question is whether the punishment should be something more than a “don’t do that again” talking-to. What kind of message is athletic director Paul Krebs sending? Locksley was asked if he felt fortunate not to be suspended. He didn’t answer directly, sounding surprised by the question. “For us, it’s old news,” Locksley said, “and we’re going about our business.” That is, until Al Davis calls. – Las Vegas Review-Journal