I don't really know much about Athletic Directors in general, nor what they actually do, and I think a lot of people here have no ******* idea either but pretend they do.
I know one thing we definitely have to consider is coaching hires, and coaching hires have to be looked at in two ways: How they looked at the time and how they performed. For instance, let's look at the Danny Gonzales hire, which obviously hasn't created much on field success.
Good piece by Feldman at the time, when Davie was leaving:
https://theathletic.com/1410498/2019/11/26/new-mexico-lobos-head-coach-job-opening-profile-football/
One thing it talked about in the article that I didn't know (and I guarantee OP doesn't know **** about either) is that UNM, which has to get its talent from elsewhere because there is none in-state, suffered a big blow when Arizona cut funding to JUCO football, one of its main talent pipelines. I don't think that is in the AD's control and certainly would impact the ability to win.
Anyway, Davie got them to a couple of bowl games in roughly 10 years there, the most success the program had since Rocky Long (who the real ones on this board respect the **** out of) was there. So when Davie's time was up, New Mexico went for fruit from the Rocky Long tree and ended up with Danny Gonzales. This is what was said about Gonzales the candidate:
Many people in the profession believe this search starts with Arizona State defensive coordinator
Danny Gonzales. The 43-year-old Gonzales is a former New Mexico player (1994-98) and coach (1999-2008). He stuck with Long at San Diego State, helping lead one of the best defenses in the country, and has spent the past two years at Arizona State. He has all the connections, but the question is: Does he want the job? That’s not clear yet.
Other guys tipped as potential candidates by Feldman at the time were a couple of Alabama position coaches, Marcus Arroyo, Graham Harrell and Matt Canada (both of which were just kind of tossed in there as potential people that COULD get involved) and then two retread fliers (Rich Rod and Todd Graham). Assuming that roughly half of those names were probably never realistic, I'm not sure that the Gonzales hire wasn't the best option they had at the time. I guess theoretically Harrell might have been better, but he wasn't a proven commodity either. Rich Rod...who knows.
Gonzales seemed a good fit, although I would hope that it doesn't signal a "we need someone who has played here / knows the program" mentality from Nunez, because that's been a problem for us forever.
Anyway, just thought a bit of clear analysis might be warranted. I couldn't really care less about any particular candidate, I just want them to can Manny, hire Lane or Mario and give them money to hire a good staff.
![crossover22[]_[]](https://data.canesinsight.com/avatars/m/2/2075.jpg?1518149361){kind=avatar}
