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Defensive Coordinator and Assistant coach George Barlow walks across the field during spring football drills at the Lobo practice fields. Barlow implemented a type of defense for the Lobos changing from a 4-3 to a 4-2-5 in hopes to tighten up the defense for next season.

New coach, new attitude

Twenty-one years removed from his college football heyday, George Barlow is still proving that he is a player’s coach, not just a coach who used to play.

Just ask his players.

Senior linebacker Carmen Messina said Barlow, the Lobos’ new defensive coordinator, brought optimism to the defensive unit, and he makes time to develop relationships with his players.

“It’s just great to know that we’ve got a player’s coach back there,” Messina said. “He’s just going to bring a lot of blitzing and a lot more defensive style back to New Mexico football.”

Barlow said building player relationships is crucial to developing a winning atmosphere.

“I’m a guy who cares about the kids,” said Barlow, who is entering his third season with the Lobos. “I think once you care about them, you have a chance to get on them and motivate them and get them to play a little harder than they did last year.”

Arguably a lot harder.

The Lobos’ defense was 119 out of 120 teams in defense (469.0 yards per game) and touchdowns allowed (69). This year, Barlow wants a faster, more physical, pressure-oriented defense — something the Lobos couldn’t accomplish the last two years in former coordinator Doug Mallory’s 4-3 defense. To achieve that, UNM will switch the to a 4-2-5 scheme.

UNM’s defense returns nine starters, which Barlow said will help.
Early in spring practice, he said it’s too early to see tangible improvements, and more than anything, he’s focused on players using proper technique.

“Once guys have played, they have a chance for the game to slow down for them and be better players,” Barlow said. “We’ve got guys that have actually played and been in the fire.”

Senior safety Bubba Forrest is one of the players that has been through the fire.

Nursing a shoulder injury, Forrest has been limited in spring practice, but he can already see the change Barlow’s ushered in.

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“He just takes his experience in his playing days and his probably 20-plus years of coaching, and he’s seen it all, and knows it all, and he can break us down and teach us up so we can be great players,” Forrest said.

Messina said that he noticed a different attitude from teammates.
“Coach Barlow is one of the coaches that has tons of energy,” he said. “He’s a young guy, so he gets to run around with us. He’s always trying to run to the ball before we get there, just developing that energy during practice that we need as players.”

Barlow said he has a tough task ahead of him, but he’s optimistic this season won’t turn out like the last two.

“I expect us to be a lot better than we were last year,” he said. “I expect us to create more turnovers, be more physical and be faster to the ball.”

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