New Mexico coach Mike Locksley was fired Sunday, one day after yet another tough loss and another embarassing off-the-field incident.
Athletic director Paul Krebs announced Locksley's dismissal in a
statement and said associate head coach and defensive coordinator
George Barlow will serve as interim head coach for the rest of the
season.
Krebs said he will hold a news conference Monday afternoon to
discuss the coaching change.
Locksley won two games in two-plus seasons, for a career record of 2-26. The Lobos dropped to 0-4 this season after losing to FCS Sam Houston State 48-45 on Saturday before an announced crowd of 16,313 at University Stadium in Albuquerque. It was the Lobos' smallest home crowd in almost 19 years.
A school official said Joshua Butts, 19, borrowed a vehicle from
Locksley's son, who's a walk-on player for the Lobos.
The SUV is registered to Meiko Locksley and Mike Locksley's
wife, Kia, according to athletic department spokesman Frank
Mercogliano.
Police said Butts claimed he was brought from Chicago to play
football for the Lobos. Mercogliano said Butts isn't a recruit and
isn't on the team.
Butts is facing charges of aggravated DWI, being a minor in
possession of alcohol, reckless driving and driving without a
license, police said.
It was just the latest string of missteps for Locksley.
In 2009, Locksley was served with a one-game suspension for punching one of his assistant coaches. He also was sued for sexual harassment by a former administrative assistant, though he resolved all legal claims in that matter.
After New Mexico completed another 1-11 season last year, the Lobos decided to retain him -- in part because they could not afford the
$1.4 million buyout to his contract.
Locksley was hired in December 2008 after four seasons as Illinois' offensive coordinator. He replaced Rocky Long, who resigned after reaching five bowl games in 11 seasons with New Mexico.
Andrea Adelson covers the Big East for ESPN.com. Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.