Locksley to be mentored by former NFL coach

Posted at: 11/17/2009 5:29 PM | Updated at: 11/18/2009 7:31 AM
By: J.P. Murrieta, Eyewitness News 4; Matthew Kappus, KOB.com

Former NFL coach Tony Dungy will serve as a mentor to embattled UNM coach Mike Locksley.

Dungy, who is a host on "Football Night in America" was also a mentor to Michael Vick when he got out of prison.

Dungy has already spoken to Locksley over the phone and the two are scheduled to meet face-to-face sometime in Albuquerque after the season.

Dungy won a Super Bowl title with the Colts and stepped away from the sidelines after last season.

According to UNM vice president for athletics Paul Krebs, Dungy agreed to mentor Locksley and provide some leadership. It is unclear if Dungy is being paid for the mentorship, but Krebs said the university won't be footing a bill.

"We are not paying Dungy anything," Krebs said.

Locksley says meeting with Dungy will give him a chance to grow as a coach.

"I see Coach Dungy being a guy with a wealth of experience and knowledge not just in football but in life," Locksley said.

Krebs said Locksley has acknowledged his mistake in an altercation with an assistant and is trying to learn from it and move forward. He says Dungy has a good perspective to offer.

"There's no better a leader in my opinion in the sport of football than Coach Dungy," Krebs said.

Locksley's team is winless and the head coach was involved in a physical altercation with one of his assistants.

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