Bob Davie Set To Return in 2019

Last Friday evening, it was confirmed by UNM Athletic Director Eddie Nuñez that the Lobos would indeed be bring back head football coach Bob Davie for the 2019 season. This move came as a shock to most, due to the under-performing season the team had, and his suspension from the team this past Spring.

Davie’s Lobos finished their 2018 campaign with a 3-9 record. Capping the season off with a 31-3 blowout loss to Wyoming at home. A season that began with such promise, ended in miserable fashion. Things looked hopeful at the start of the year for Davie and UNM. At 2-1, the Lobos were off to their best start in 11 years. But the good times would not last. The team would go on to lose a shootout against Liberty, and then secure a blowout win against in-state rivals, NMSU. This would be their last victory of the season however, the Lobos would lose their next 7 in a row to close out the season. For a more indepth look at UNM’s season, be sure to check out Adam’s Season Recap. With this season it the books, it drops Davie’s overall career record at UNM to 33-54. The team is a far cry from where they were in 2015 and 2016. Since those back-to-back appearances in the New Mexico Bowl and winning one bowl title (Davie’s first as a head coach), the team as posted a 3-9 record the past two seasons. This seems reminiscent of Davie’s first three years at UNM, losing records.

But even with Davie’s second straight 3-9 season in the books, the optimism seems to be high in the Athletic Department at UNM. Athletic Director Eddie Nuñez said in a statement released last Friday that “After meeting with Coach Davie, both he and I are looking forward to the 2019 season,” With this quote in mind, it looks like Davie still has the full support of the school behind him. But he will be under the microscope next season, given both the issues that his team had both on and off the field. But only time will tell if retaining Davie was the right move for the Lobos. But with the game attendance dropping and a losing product on the field, I don’t imagine the fans and the university will be so willing to keep Davie around if things don’t change fast.