Notes from the sports desk

Lobo football coach  

It’s been years since I’ve genuinely been excited about the University of New Mexico football team, but the hiring of Bronco Mendenhall has left me thrilled.  

Mendenhall was the perfect choice. Why Mendenhall wanted the job is a mystery because he could have landed just about anywhere. While covering the Lobos during his time at UNM under Rocky Long, I found Bronco knowledgeable, personable and ethical.    

NMSU football  

Congratulations to the Aggies after one of the most successful, and tumultuous, seasons in New Mexico State University football history. Despite a loss in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl and a head-scratching controversy with the University of New Mexico after it, NMSU fans have reason to puff out their chests. However, following it up won’t be easy with a new head coach and quarterback. 

College football playoffs  

If the powers-that-be listened to me 20 years ago when I proposed an eight-team college football playoff, the recent complaining about this years’ choices for the semifinals would have been avoided. It was all laid out for them, with conference champions and at-large selections playing in bowl games.  

The “concern” then was that it would destroy the bowl system and that “student-athletes” would miss too much class time. That sure sounds ridiculous now.    

NMAA alignment  

After the dust cleared from the recent alignment-classification update from New Mexico Activities Association, I’m OK with it. The experiment with larger districts in football is interesting and will leave Los Lunas with a difficult but reasonable schedule.  

While the changes helped finalize the end of the Valencia Bowl, they also led to the renewal of the rivalry between Belen and Valencia.  

Cox to Clarksville  

Take the last train to Clarksville, Grady Cox! The title of an old song by the Monkees may be something of a stretch in this context, but Austin Peay State in Clarksville, Tenn., is where Cox will be playing his collegiate golf. Cox, an Infinity High School senior, is a two-time state champion for Belen High School, and I wonder if higher profile schools will regret not pursuing him. Cox is really good.  

Conflict at Cleveland  

Mark your calendars for Jan. 6! First, it will be the final day of the Conflict at Cleveland wrestling tournament, a chance for Belen, Valencia and Los Lunas high schools to see how they stack up against the best in the state. Plus, there will be plenty of interest when the Jaguars host the Tigers in girls’ basketball that afternoon. It marks a homecoming for Los Lunas’ Manny Vigil, the former Valencia coach. It will be intense.    

A good read  

I really enjoyed the book “Don Perkins, Champion” by Richard Melzer, a frequent contributor to the Valencia County News-Bulletin. It was an interesting and educational read about a former colleague of mine, and not just about Perkins’ football experience with the University of New Mexico and Dallas Cowboys. The detailing of prejudice that Perkins overcame growing up in Iowa and living in Dallas was particularly compelling.  

My New Years’ resolution this year is to … I’ll get back to you. Happy 2024!