We tweeted this “development” Friday, intended to post on it here a little later, and then promptly forgot all about it. You can probably forgive us for that transgression, though; it’s “just” New Mexico State.
So, as we have hit yet another -- say it with me -- major lull in the college football news cycle, how ‘bout we hit on it real quick?
In a release issued by the school yesterday, the Aggies announced that offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mike Dunbar unexpectedly retired from his positions. In Dunbar’s one season as coordinator, the Aggies finished 112th in the country in total offense and 117th in scoring offense. They were dead last in the country -- 120th -- in both categories the year before.
“Obviously we are disappointed that coach Dunbar has retired,” head coach DeWayne Walker said. “We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. I will begin an immediate search for a new offensive coordinator.”
As terse as that statement was, Walker’s words to a local newspaper seemed to indicate that he was blindsided by Dunbar’s decision and none too pleased with it.
“That’s the million-dollar question,” Walker told the Las Cruces Sun-News when asked why Dunbar would retire now instead of after last season. “You gotta ask him.”
It’s ironic that Walker mentioned a monetary figure as the Sun-News hinted money may have played a role in Dunbar’s decision. According to the paper, Dunbar pulled in last year what most BcS conference coordinators refer to as pocket change -- $80,000.
If money was the reason Dunbar stepped down, it’s neither satisfactory nor acceptable to Walker.
“The bottom line is all of us - no one twisted our arms to come here,” Walker said. “We all knew what we were getting into, salary-wise. I’m not letting any coach off the hook on that one.”
In addition to his time at NMSU, Dunbar has also been a coordinator at Minnesota, Cal, Northwestern and Toledo. He was also a head coach at Northern Iowa and Central Washington.