From Deseret News archives:
New MWC coaches add intrigue
How will recent coaching changes in the Mountain West affect the football title race next season?
It appears Wyoming, New Mexico and San Diego State are doing everything possible to jump start offenses and recruit at a higher level to compete with Utah, TCU and BYU, the top three finishers this past season.
They're hired to put a premium on explosive offenses — the dreaded spread — now the fashion from coast to coast. Recruiting, as expected, will be top of the list.
They take over three MWC programs that finished a combined 4-20 in the standings in 2008. Their combined overall records, counting patsies and big wins like Wyoming's upset of Tennessee in Knoxville, stood at 10-26.
Wyoming, New Mexico and SDSU. Will they progress enough to overcome UNLV (2-6, 5-7) and move into the middle of the pack with CSU (4-4, 6-6) and Air Force (5-3, 8-4)? Will any of them get six wins and to a bowl like Steve Fairchild did in Fort Collins, turning things around in one season?
What will it take for these three to challenge Utah, 2008's top dog?
Former Missouri offensive coordinator Dave Christensen wasted little time at Wyoming in hiring former San Jose State offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo. He then added former Washington strength coach Trent Greener, a former Cowboy player who was released when Steve Sarkisian took over the Husky program.
"Marcus Arroyo is one of the brightest, up-and-coming, spread offensive coordinators in the country," proclaimed the new head Cowboy.
Christensen, who has yet to stack up all his offensive coaches with Arroyo, hired Northern Iowa defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery under D-coordinator Marty English, who hired Mike Fanoga and Alex Grinch for outside linebackers and the secondary.
In Albuquerque, former Illinois assistant coach Mike Locksley fired up the Lobo base by preaching "attack" offense and "attack" defense. Labeled by Rivals.com as one of the "best recruiters around," Locksley has vowed to scrounge around Pac-10 territories in southern California and Arizona and then hit Big 12 country in Texas to find the merchants that will deliver the goods.
In San Diego, former Ball State coach Brady Hoke has had a conversation with former UNM coach Rocky Long, about becoming his defensive coordinator.
Of all these hires, Locksley may be the most interesting and could have the quickest impact, if he can corral the horses. A former recruiter for Maryland and Ron Zook at Florida and Illinois, he's got a proven track record for signing talent and he sees Albuquerque as a gold mind for bringing in players.
