New Mexico coach's job on the firing line

College Football

The Associated Press

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The first problem to hit Mike Locksley since he became New Mexico coach in December last was a legal tug-of-war over a sexual harassment and age discrimination allegation.

Then it was disclosed that Locksley got into a fight with an assistant coach. That led to a 10-day suspension. On top of that, his team is winless, the first time in 22 years the Lobos have been 0-6.

It could hardly get much worse for Locksley and the Lobos.

New Mexico (0-2 Mountain West) faces UNLV (2-5, 0-3) without its first-year head coach Saturday night. Locksley's suspension ends Sunday.

In announcing the suspension last week, athletic director Paul Krebs warned that another such altercation would Locksley fired.

"I accept the punishment the university and Paul and the administration has rendered on me with no bitterness," Locksley said at the time.

Receivers coach J.B. Gerald told police Locksley struck him during a meeting Sept. 20, splitting his lip. Locksley admited he put his hands on Gerald but maintains he threw no blows. No witnesses backed up Gerald's story, which might have saved Locksley's job.

Before that, there was a dispute involving a former administrative assistant who accused Locksley of sexual harassment, age discrimination and retaliation. The plaintiff's lawyer said Locksley told the woman she was too old to be attractive to recruits.

Six games into Locksley's first season, the Lobos are averaging 14.5 points per game, 118th of 120 teams, and 117th in scoring defense, allowing 37.8 per game.

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