LAS CRUCES, New Mexico — Tony Sanchez, the receivers coach at New Mexico State, will take over as head coach of the football team after Jerry Kill steps down following two great seasons.
After experiencing health problems as the Gophers football coach from 2011 to 2015, Kill made his decision public on Saturday.
In a statement, Kill stated, “This year has been incredibly difficult for me and I gave it everything I had physically, mentally, and emotionally.” Since it signifies the conclusion of my tenure as head coach, New Mexico State will always have a particular place in my heart. I will continue to be associated with the Aggies, but I understand that they need an enthusiastic head coach. Wishing the student-athletes, New Mexico State University, and Coach Sanchez well.
Kill led New Mexico State to consecutive bowl games for the first time in 60 years and had the second-highest two-season win total in program history by going 17-11. The Aggies won 10 games this season for the first time since 1960 before losing to Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl.
New Mexico State was Kill’s first head coaching job since he stepped down at Minnesota in 2015 after having multiple seizures on the sideline. He also served as TCU’s interim head coach for the final four games of the 2021 season after Gary Patterson’s departure.
Kill was 29-29 overall and 14-21 in the Big Ten at Minnesota, leading the Gophers to bowl games after 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons. He resigned seven games into the 2015 season amid worsening health problems, with the Gophers holding a 4-3 record.
After leaving Minnesota, Kill served as athletic director at Southern Illinois and as a special assistant coach at Virginia Tech and TCU.
A former New Mexico State player, Sanchez joined Kill’s staff in 2022. He was UNLV’s head coach from 2015-19, going 20-40.
