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Mike Garcia: Lobos tap new defensive coordinator to work Long's magic
Troy Reffert
The Reefert File
Name: Troy Reffert
Age: 40
Position: Defensive coordinator
Accolades: Reffert has coached the UNM cornerbacks since 2004, developing one All-American and three All-Mountain West players in the secondary. . . . Former defensive coordinator at Texas-El Paso (2002 and 2003) in 14 seasons with the Miners.
Family: Wife, Molly; son, Ty; daughter, Camille
College: UTEP (1990)
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Most head football coaches have a reputation as either an offense guy or defense guy.
No one doubts which side Rocky Long resides.
He's a defense guy.
He oozes toughness.
His defenders play with tenacity.
That won't change as long as Long is around.
No matter who the defensive coordinator might be at the University of New Mexico, you can be sure Rocky's in charge.
But someone's got to be in that coach's booth, calling Long's plays and running them through Long, onto the field. Long's mind is on too many things to be giving one side of the ball the attention it deserves come Saturdays.
UNM has tapped Troy Reffert, 40, as its new defensive coordinator, replacing Osia Lewis, who left to take the same job at Texas-El Paso.
"This is a great opportunity and privilege to be given this position," Reffert said. "In the world of college football, any time the University of New Mexico is mentioned, the thing that comes to mind is defense."
True.
The Lobos ranked 13th in the nation in total defense in 2007, the highest ranking in Long's 10 years.
UNM capped its season with a 23-0 blanking of Nevada in the New Mexico Bowl - perhaps its most impressive defensive outing.
Whether it's Reffert or Lewis or Bronco Mendenhall before him, the defense remains the same.
It's Long's baby.
Always will be.
Reffert likely will bring a few wrinkles to Long's blitzing scheme, but he won't run the show.
Long calls the shots.
It was the same way on the offensive side with former Lobos coach Dennis Franchione.
That's likely why Lewis left. He wants to be in charge of a defense he can call his own. Nothing wrong with that. He's paid his dues and deserves the chance to go out on his own.
If Lewis wants to be a head coach, leaving probably was the best choice for him.
Promoting Reffert makes sense, too.
"Troy is an excellent coach worthy of promotion," Long said. "He completely understands our system, from the front seven to our secondary. He has experience as a defensive coordinator, and he provides continuity within our staff."
Reffert brings 14 years of experience from his stint at Texas-El Paso, including two seasons as defensive coordinator (2002 and 2003). He knows the personnel. He knows Long.
So, it's time to wish Lewis well and welcome Reffert to the job.
No pressure, just help the Lobos win a Mountain West Conference title, Troy.
