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Some consider it the kiss of death.

As a result, college football coaches often observe an unwritten rule.

Never hire a former head coach to be your assistant coach. He will undermine your authority and leave the first chance he gets.

University of New Mexico head coach Rocky Long continues to buck the trend.

Long announced he hired Dave Baldwin, a former assistant coach at Michigan State and head coach at San Jose State, to take over as UNM's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Baldwin started work Tuesday but will not be formally introduced until a news conference this afternoon.

Baldwin replaces Bob Toledo, the ex-UCLA head coach who helped the Lobos' to a 6-7 record in 2006 before taking over as Tulane's head coach.

Baldwin was job hunting after being fired with the rest of head coach John L. Smith's staff at Michigan State. The Spartans posted a disappointing 4-8 record in 2006.

Baldwin could follow in Toledo's footsteps by rehabilitating his record and bolting to a top job, but Long said he is still happy with his newest hire.

"A lot of coaches won't hire a former head coach because they're worried the guy will leave right away," Long said. "I'm not worried about that. I just wanted the best guy for the job, and I believe that's who we got."

Long added he isn't worried about Baldwin overshadowing his work as the head coach.

"A lot of coaches have big egos and are worried if they hire a head coach, the guy might be too successful and replace them," Long said. "I'm not worried about that either. I know Dave is the best guy for the job and can help this team be successful. He fits in real well here. That's all that matters to me."

Baldwin, 51, has had his ups and downs during his 24-year coaching career.

Before Michigan State suffered from brutal comparisons to Michigan and a top-heavy Big 10 Conference, the Spartans were an offensive powerhouse.

The team ranked in the top 20 nationally in most offensive categories.

His tenure as a head coach, however, has been less stellar.

Baldwin went 18-27 in the top job at San Jose State from 1997-2000, 9-12 at Division I-AA Cal State Northridge from 1995-96 and 31-21 at two California junior colleges from 1990-94.

"At Michigan State, he ran one of the top 20 offenses in the country, but he also has been at smaller programs where you really have to fight to be successful," Long said. "It's a good combination."

Baldwin ran a form of the spread offense under Smith, who pushed an offense comparable to the style used by former Utah leader and current Florida coach Urban Meyer.

Long contends Baldwin is more conventional and will run a set compatible with the West Coast offense Toledo installed last year.

"He runs a lot of three wide receivers sets, but he's also got a lot of two tight end sets, too," Long said. "It works very well with the personnel we've got right now."

Long also said the team should be able to use the same signals and names for formations.

There inevitably will be some differences between Toledo's system and Baldwin's game plans, making it the fourth time UNM players have to adjust to a new offense in as many years. Baldwin also is UNM's third offensive coordinator in three seasons.

Wide receivers coach: Long said he has offered the Lobos' wide receivers coaching job to an NFL assistant coach. "He is hoping to stay with his NFL team, but if he doesn't he will come and work with us," Long said. "If he stays in the NFL, we'll search for someone else to fill the job."

Players leave: Only one of three Lobos who escorted recruit Ervin "Una" Smiley during his official visit will be on the football team during the spring semester.

Smiley, 20, was shot while leaving an Albuquerque strip club with Lobos Clayton Cardenas, Justin Clayton and Michael Tuohy.

Clayton was a senior whose eligibility expired. Tuohy, a junior and starting defensive end accepted undisclosed probation handed down by Long, while Cardenas is not returning for his senior year.

"Clayton Cardenas decided he wanted to stay in California and didn't want to be part of the team any longer," Long said.

Freshman cornerback D.J. Terrell also left the team, transferring to Sam Houston State. Long said the football staff helped Terrell transfer when it became apparent he would not be able to beat out numerous young cornerbacks ahead of him on the depth chart.

Injury update: Junior center Vince Natali missed the Lobos' first team meeting of the spring semester Tuesday because he was in Chicago recovering from shoulder surgery. Team doctors from the Chicago Bears performed the procedure and Long said Natali should recover by the start of fall workouts.

Spring football: UNM's spring football practices will be April 15-21, April 23-28 and April 30-May 2.