Albuquerque Journal

Rocky's Deal To Be in Top Half of MWC
By Greg Archuleta, Journal Staff Writer

Rocky Long's University of New Mexico football teams have finished in the top half of the Mountain West Conference every year since 2001.
       
Seven years later, he finally will receive compensation that reflects his performance.
       
UNM has called a news conference today to announce Long's new contract. It is believed to be a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $750,000 per year, which would make him the third or fourth highest paid coach in the league.
       
Conflicting published reports put new Colorado State coach Steve Fairchild's salary at either $800,000 (which would make him third) or $700,000 (fifth) annually. San Diego State's Chuck Long makes $717,000.
       
Rocky Long's contract is believed to be more than that but less than $800,000.
       
Long was making $440,000 per year, which ranked eighth in the MWC.