Emails reveal administration tension in Locksley incident

Posted at: 11/25/2009 5:23 PM | Updated at: 11/25/2009 6:08 PM
By: Jeremy Jojola, Eyewitness News 4, and Kurt Christopher, KOB.com

Eyewitness News 4 has uncovered what University of New Mexico officials were saying behind the scenes as the investigation into football coach Mike Locksley unfolded.

Investigative reporter Jeremy Jojola filed a records request more than a month ago to obtain emails regarding the incident.  In one of those emails, UNM athletic director Paul Krebs writes that he is worried about his own future.  He also expresses frustration over leaks in the department and how the story unfolded.

It all began with the September 20th scuffle between UNM head football coach Mike Locksley and former assistant coach J.B. Gerald.  Statements said an argument over football plays resulted in Locksley lunging at Gerald.  Locksley was initially verbally reprimanded by the university and later placed on a ten-day suspension.

A month after Eyewitness News 4’s record’s request, the university did provide emails that had been sent out by Krebs during the time he was dealing with the media swarm.

In one email to a media consultant, Krebs writes about an October 13th ESPN article that broke the news about Locksley’s suspension: “Story broke on ESPN.  Not sure how or where the leak came from as none of my staff knew except Greg [Remington] and Kurt.”

Krebs asks the consultant, “Any last minute advice?  Feel like he may take me down with him.”

In another email sent to the same consultant, Krebs writes, “It is incredible how many people are using this as an opportunity to bash Mike [Locksley] and taking shots about everything about him.”

The emails also reveal an effort to get J.B. Gerald to speak about the incident.  Nine days after the scuffle, athletics spokesman Greg Remington wrote to Krebs, “J.B. coming forward and saying something [positive] would sure soothe the situation.”

Krebs responded, “Suggest you try and reach out to him.”

Also among the emails is criticism about a sports reporter with The Daily Lobo school newspaper, Isaac Avilucea, who requested Locksley’s phone records and text messages.  Associate director of athletics, Richard Pickering, writes to Krebs, “I just want to be careful dealing with Isaac because we know he will be subjective in his reporting and will look to portray us in a negative light.”

Krebs responds, “If we have to release them, we will. No way to spin numbers.”

Avilucea calls the “subjective” reference conjecture aimed at trivializing the true issue.

Eyewitness News 4 also requested emails sent out by UNM coach Locksley.  We were told by the university that no sent emails exist from the coach.

Attempts were made to get comments from the university regarding this story, but calls and emails to the athletic department were not returned.

 Read the UNM emails released to Eyewitness News 4

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