Dec. 23—Jerry Kill is stepping down as head coach of the New Mexico State football program.
New Mexico State University Athletics Director Mario Moccia confirmed the news Saturday, adding that Kill had approached him late in the season about an increased salary. Kill said money was not the deciding factor.
Wide receivers coach Tony Sanchez, an NMSU graduate and former head coach at UNLV who also worked recently with Kill at TCU, has been named the new head coach.
“Firstly, I want to extend my sincere thanks to the New Mexico State administration — President Jay Gogue, Mario Moccia, and Braun Cartwright,” Kill said in a statement released by the school. “They’ve been invaluable in our achievements over the last two years. I also want to express my deep gratitude to the people of Las Cruces. Aggie Nation has been incredibly supportive, and I will always be thankful for the opportunity I was given to lead their team.
“This year has been tremendously difficult for me, and I gave it everything I had physically, mentally and emotionally. New Mexico State holds a special place in my heart as it marks the end of my journey as a head coach. While I’ll remain involved with the Aggies, I recognize the need for a head coach with a lot of energy. Good luck to Coach Sanchez, the student-athletes and New Mexico State University.”
Kill, 62. led the Aggies to back-to-back bowl game appearances, which had not been done in more than 60 years.
Moccia said the talk of finances first came up during the week of NMSU’s historic win over Auburn, the program’s first-ever victory over an SEC school.
After talking with donors and raising money, Moccia said that during the week of the Dec. 16 New Mexico Bowl played in Albuquerque he offered Kill a contract that would include a guaranteed salary and compensation of $1.1 million — the largest…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jerry-kill-stepping-down-nmsu-040100276.html
Author : Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
Publish date : 2023-12-24 04:01:00
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