Former Gophers coach Jerry Kill stepping down at New Mexico State

Former UNLV coach Tony Sanchez to take his place.

Former Gophers football coach Jerry Kill is stepping down as head coach at New Mexico State and the school announced on Saturday it has named former UNLV coach Tony Sanchez as its next coach. 

Kill, 62, stepped down as Minnesota coach midway through the 2015 season due to health issues but made a return to coaching a few years later, eventually taking over as head coach at New Mexico State after the 2021 season.

Kill turned around the Aggies program, which was among the worst in college football and coming off a 2-10 season in 2021. He led New Mexico State to a 7-6 record and a Quick Lane Bowl victory in 2022, and the Aggies finished with a 10-5 mark this season, which ended on Dec. 16 with a loss to Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl.

After that game, Kill went on a long rant over the use of the New Mexico practice facility. He accused New Mexico athletic director Eddie Nunez of attempting to block the Aggies from using their facilities ahead of the bowl game over an incident involving Aggies quarterback Diego Pavia last September.

Pavia urinated on the logo at midfield of the New Mexico indoor practice facility during a visit to his hometown of Albuquerque before the start of that season. Local news outlets reported that the outburst was because of his frustration over not being offered a scholarship by the Lobos.

The Aggies were allowed to use the Lobos’ indoor practice facility when preparing for the bowl game, but Kill said that was only after executives of the New Mexico Bowl stepped in. Kill said during his rant that he didn’t care if his comments caused him any trouble in the future.

“If I get in trouble, I don’t give a (expletive) either because I can go down to Mexico tomorrow, drink margaritas and let you all enjoy your life because I’ll be enjoying mine,” Kill said after the game. “But I got class, and I’ve had class my whole life. You can ask the whole college football profession. I’ve had class and I’ve never been treated like that.” 

In a statement announcing his departure as head coach, Kill thanked the New Mexico State administration and Aggies fans. 

"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," he said. "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."