Gerald takes steps toward resignation in fight aftermath
It looks like wide receivers coach Jonathan “J.B.” Gerald is on his way out of UNM.
Athletics Director Paul Krebs confirmed Sunday that Gerald turned in his University-issued cell phone and car keys on Friday.
Gerald has been on paid administrative leave since he filed a police report on the evening of Sept. 20 alleging that Lobo football coach Mike Locksley approached him in an “aggressive manner” after a “heated” exchange during an offensive staff meeting.
Locksley said he wasn’t aware that Gerald had turned in his keys and said that he hasn’t had a conversation with Gerald since the first-year head coach last apologized to him in person.
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Initially, the only punishment levied against Locksley was a verbal reprimand and a written letter placed in his personnel file. But at Krebs’ request — and after a public outcry — the University Human Resources department launched an investigation into the altercation.
Krebs said the University has extended open arms to Gerald, and the wide receivers coach was welcome to rejoin the team whenever he was ready.
But Gerald has been mum since the incident occurred, and he didn’t return e-mails over the weekend.
Krebs said he wasn’t at liberty to speculate on whether Gerald has resigned.
“He’s on paid administrative leave,” Krebs said.
In Gerald’s absence, graduate assistant Aaron Moorehead has assumed some of the responsibilities associated with coaching the wide receivers, and Locksley has played a more active, hands-on role as well.
Locksley said his Sept. 20 actions were uncalled-for, and that he hoped the fallout wouldn’t affect his friendship with Gerald or his coaching status with the University — but ultimately the decision resided with Gerald.
“I can’t speak for him,” he said during a Sept. 29 media luncheon. “He has to decide what he’s willing to work through and whether he’s willing to forgive. Part of the consequence (is), I didn’t just lose a good coach. I lost a friend — possibly. But that’s part of the consequences of the choice or decision I made. All you can ask is for forgiveness — and I’ve done that part.”
Locksley has been cleared of wrongdoing on another front: The EEOC ruled the sexual harassment allegations against Locksley filed in May by a former administrative assistant are “unfounded,” KRQE reported on Friday.
Krebs said he hadn’t heard about the report.
“The EEOC complaint is about to be resolved,” he said. “I wasn’t in the office on Friday, but we expected that to be resolved and something to be forthcoming soon.”
Locksley declined to comment on the ruling.
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by Jay
Looks like Locksley finally won one – Congrats, Coach!
by SOL
Make that 2, afterall he did get in the first punch!
by Rick Tenorio
Fire this monkey!
by Sign up now to FIRE LOCKS!
WINLESS
FIRE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEAD FOOTBALL COACH MIKE LOCKSLEY BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!
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MIKE LOCKSLEY IS IN OVER HIS HEAD
• New Mexico finished the season 1-11, its worst record since the 1980’s. Many of those losses were blowouts.
• Coach Locksley admitted striking an assistant coach during a “physical altercation”.
• As of 10-10-09, Locksley had been blown out in 5 out of 6 games.
• Loss at home to undermanned and less talented NMSU squad.
• Poor leadership and example for student athletes — physical violence in the workplace.
• Talented recruiting class not yet in the works, despite Locksley’s supposed expertise as recruiter.
• Rapid decline in football game attendance, and general apathy toward program under Locksley.
• Segment by ESPN Outside the Lines alleges cover up and previous anger management issues.
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Despite big promises and big words, University of New Mexico Lobo head football coach Mike Locksley delivered only a single victory in 2009, at a cost of $750,000 to the taxpayers of New Mexico. That’s right, $750,000 per victory — what a bargain. The Lobos finished near the bottom of the NCAA in most important offensive and defensive statistical categories — so much for Locksley’s bragging assertion that another number would need to be added to the scoreboard — if it was needed, it was needed on the opposing team’s side this year. Coach Locksley was hit with an EEOC complaint earlier in 2009 that has now been settled, with his former employee being given a newly created, higher-paying position, back pay, lifetime season tickets to UNM sporting events, and an undisclosed, behind the scenes settlement. Coach Mike Locksley has admitted to striking assistant coach J.B. Gerald in a “physical altercation”, and it appears possible that this incident may result in a lawsuit against UNM, as Coach Gerald has opted to leave the team, and retain an attorney. Locksley has also failed to land the recruits he could supposedly deliver, losing two of his top three recruits in 2009 to their failure to qualify. Another one of Locksley’s highly touted recruits briefly left the program and returned because of the controversy surrounding the gerald situation.
The University of New Mexico pays Coach Mike Locksley $750,000 annually, or approximately $14,423.08 per week. Has Coach Mike Locksley done anything to demonstrate that he is qualified to be a head football coach at this level? Is Mike Locksley representative of the values of the University of New Mexico Lobos, or the state of New Mexico? Does he really deserve this kind of money, based on performance, or should the University of New Mexico have terminated him for cause when they had the opportunity to do so? We feel the answer is a resounding “yes”, based on his record, performance, and behavior. Mike Locksley was a very bad hire.
The taxpayers of New Mexico and fans of University of New Mexico Lobo football deserve more coaching and more integrity for their money. It is time to recognize the mistake made by Paul Krebs in hiring Coach Locksley, and sever ties with Coach Locksley, before the program suffers irreparable damage. New Mexico Lobo football cannot survive 5 more years of Mike Locksley, and this style of management, or lack of coaching ability. Our student athletes deserve better leadership.