New Mexico fires Gonzales after four-year stint

• Pete Thamel, ESPNNov 25, 2023, 08:57 PM ET

New Mexico fired head coach Danny Gonzales on Saturday after a four-year stint in which he went 11-32 at his alma mater.The school

announced the relocation Saturday night in the wake of a 4-8 season, which was his greatest win overall in Gonzales’ tenure.

“In the end, we did not accomplish the results on the field that we had actually wanted,” athletic director Eddie Nunez said in a statement.Gonzales concerned his alma mater from Arizona State, where he worked as a protective planner. He brought the 3-3-5 plan that he discovered as a player and assistant at New Mexico under Rocky Long, but had a hard time throughout his 4 years to find consistency on offense.New Mexico hasn’t played in a bowl game considering that 2016 and is normally considered a challenging job because of the absence of regional talent.New Mexico lost 4 of five to end the season in 2023, with the only win being an upset

at Fresno State on Nov. 18. New Mexico completed 2-6 in Mountain West play and lost to rival New Mexico State. “While I’m dissatisfied, I will constantly value and be grateful for the chance to

go back to the University of New Mexico and lead the football program as head coach,” Gonzales said.” I’m proud of the program we constructed and will always cheer on my university in the future. “Gonzales will be an in-demand protective planner, as he’s run the 3-3-5 at both ASU and San Diego State, and he brings substantial West Coast recruiting experience. He was chosen for the Broyles Award in 2018. Gonzales didn’t play a home game in 2020 as the group moved in order

to play seven games during the shortened COVID-19 season. His teams didn’t determine the offensive side till this year, as they jumped from No. 108 in overall offense in 2022 to No. 47 this year under organizer Bryant Vincent.Nunez’s declaration normally lauded Gonzales ‘tenure, but he just didn’t win enough.

“Danny helped bring stability to our football program during a difficult time and played a huge function in fostering a positive culture throughout our Department of Sports,” Nunez said.” He really cares about the University of New Mexico and all of our programs, and we are grateful for the long lasting impact he has had on the student-athletes on our campus.”