ALBUQUERQUE — After finishing 1-11 for the second straight season, New Mexico head coach Mike Locksley spoke about difficult decisions and changes that are coming for one of the nation's worst college football teams.

But for anyone who thinks the biggest change will be Locksley's departure, the coach made it clear he expects to be on the sideline next fall.

"As with the end of any year, there will be evaluations of every part of this program," Locksley said after the Lobos lost 66-17 to TCU on Saturday. "There will be some tough decisions to be made, but I'm willing to make those decisions as a head coach."

For weeks, New Mexico athletic director Paul Krebs said he would evaluate Locksley and the football program after the season ends.

"We're still in that evaluative process," Krebs said Monday. "If anything changes, of course we'll let people know. Mike and I have had multiple conversations and we will continue to have discussions."

New Mexico (1-11, 1-7 Mountain West Conference) ended 2010 with a lopsided defeat to No. 3 TCU after opening with a 72-0 loss at No. 1 Oregon. Those teams are among the national elite, but it's apparent the Lobos have ground to cover just to become more competitive against any opponent.

With another week of action remaining for a handful of schools, the Lobos rank dead last nationally among 120 teams in total offense (265.6 yards per game) and 115th in scoring offense (15.83 points). New Mexico is 119th in total defense (469 yards) and last in scoring defense (44.33).

In fact, New Mexico ranks among the bottom 20 in several NCAA statistical categories.

Locksley, hired in December 2008 after Rocky Long resigned, suggested the changes he's planning involve assistant coaches and personnel but offered no specifics.

"I will do whatever it takes to get this program back on track," said Locksley, who came to Albuquerque after four years as Illinois' offensive coordinator. "Again, it all starts with me. I've never once ducked the responsibility that comes with being a head coach and I don't plan on starting now."

Since Locksley was hired, ticket revenues have fallen
$1.2 million below projections over the past two years but Krebs called that figure misleading because there have been shortfalls previously and the revenue, without alarm, has been made up from other athletic department sources.

Still, Krebs acknowledged revenues are part of his conversations with Locksley.

"There are a lot of things that go into the evaluative process," he said. "It's one of many factors that would be considered."

Season ticket sales dropped to 12,309 this fall after reaching 17,466 as recently as two years ago. New Mexico's school-record attendance average of 38,341 fans per game came in 2005 under Long. Average attendance was 20,888 this fall at University Stadium, which has capacity for 38,723 fans.

In fairness, another consideration should be whether Locksley has enough tools.

The Lobos broke NCAA rules during Long's tenure and sanctions included recruiting limitations that remain in effect. Locksley has never used it as an excuse, but he has been able to offer only 20 scholarships, instead of the usual 25, for the past two years.

That figure improves to 21 scholarships for next season and returns to 25 in 2012.

Locksley made news early in his New Mexico tenure because of a sexual harassment lawsuit by a former administrative assistant and an altercation with a former assistant, leading Krebs to order a 10-day suspension for Locksley.

The former assistant has filed a federal lawsuit over the incident.

If Locksley is fired, a buyout would cost the university almost $1.5 million at a time when budgets are sagging across campus.

Locksley doesn't sound too worried about that possibility. After the TCU contest, he spoke about strides the Lobos have made in recruiting and vowed to continue helping the team improve.

"I'm looking forward to the 2011 season," he said.




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