One thing is certain: UNM's new head football coach Mike Locksley likes his bright red jacket.
"I look good in red - oh, cherry. I look good in cherry," he said. "I don't want to make that mistake."
UNM introduced Locksley, former Illinois offensive coordinator, as head football coach in SUB Ballroom C on Tuesday.
"Make no mistake about it - this man was our No. 1 choice," Athletics Director Paul Krebs said. "He was identified early in the process, and I'm thrilled and excited to have him as the next football coach. It's a historic day; it's an exciting day."
Locksley agreed to a six-year deal paying $750,000 per year.
Krebs said the University conducted an exhaustive search to ensure the Lobos had the right coach in place.
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Krebs said UNM hired an offensive-minded coach to compete with other high-scoring teams in the Mountain West Conference.
The Lobos have been lackluster on offense, averaging just 131.1 yards through the air. The Lobos also managed only four passing touchdowns this season.
Locksley promised to change that immediately.
"I get excited every time we're talking about our offense," he said. "Our offense is going to be an up-tempo, wide-open, spread, get-the-ball-to-the-playmakers, score-touchdowns (offense). We may have to add another digit to the scoreboard, Paul."
Locksley pointed to his résumé as evidence - he transformed Illinois into an offensive juggernaut.
Before his departure, the Fighting Illini racked up more than 5,000 yards of total offense for the second straight season in 2008 - an achievement that hasn't been accomplished at UNM since 2003. The Illini also led the Big Ten in rushing in 2006 and 2007, and in passing in 2008.
Locksley has coached in six bowl games - notably the 2006 Rose Bowl against USC.
"I was asked about whether I wanted a 'sexy' hire," Krebs said, joking. "I'm not going to comment on whether he is a sexy hire. Mrs. Locksley, I'm sure, thinks this is a sexy hire."
Locksley said Krebs and President David Schmidly easily convinced him to become UNM's 29th head coach.
"The vision that these guys presented to me on a cold, chilly Saturday - they did a good job of recruiting me because they told me the weather was, like, 60 degrees," he said. "So, I'm going to use some of their recruiting tactics in the next few weeks."
Locksley also took the time to stress that he is here to stay.
Dismissing concerns that UNM would merely be a bullet on his résumé in pursuit of a BCS position, Locksley assured Lobo fans of his loyalty.
"When you go to Toys R Us, you go in and have an ability to go in and pick up an airplane - an already-put-together, store-bought airplane," he said. "Then you go to the local drug store and pick up a model airplane. You bring it home, and you have to put it together - piece it together. Which one means more to you? To me, it's the one I built with my hands. Lobo nation is my family."
However, Locksley said he couldn't guarantee the starters from last year's squad would remain atop the depth chart.
"I don't think it's my job to ease their fears," he said. "I think everybody should have a little fear for their job. I told (the team), as of Dec. 9, 2008, everybody's starting with a clean slate - there are no starters. What you've done prior doesn't mean anything. Everything I judge you by now is based upon what you show me."
Quarterback Donovan Porterie, who is still recovering from a season-ending injury he sustained in September, said he's looking forward to earning back his starting position.
"I'm not looking for any hand-me-downs or for somebody to give me anything," he said. "That's how you become a better player."
While Porterie has spring practices circled in his calendar, Locksley has a couple notable meetings jotted down, as well.
"I've got a couple dates on my calendar: all my family's birthdays, a couple dates with BYU on my calendar, Utah, TCU, and we won't forget about the boys down south," he said. "We're not going to take a backseat to anyone in the Mountain West. We're not going to take a backseat to anyone in the nation."
