An athletic department spokesman confirmed that University of New Mexico football coach Bob Davie is being investigated by the school
University of New Mexico football coach Bob Davie is under investigation by the school after allegations emerged concerning player mistreatment and the team’s drug-testing program.
The school has yet to confirm the details or scope of the investigation, but according to a report by NMFishbowl.com, the University of New Mexico has been investigating Davie for several months over ‘specific claims of player mistreatment, as well as allegations about the athlete drug-testing process being compromised.’
‘I can confirm there is an initial review and preliminary investigation underway in Athletics,’ assistant athletic director of communications Frank Mercogliano wrote in an email to Dailymail.com. ‘We will not be offering any additional details or comment until the full inquiry is complete.’
Davie is 28-37 over six seasons at New Mexico, but his Lobos are coming off a 9-4 campaign that included a New Mexico Bowl victory
Following players’ exit interviews at the end of the 2016 season, the school began investigating player mistreatment and irregularities with the drug-testing program , according to the report.
However, that report did not specify who was handling the investigation. According to the site’s sources, ‘the severity and volume of the allegations made by players were deemed to be of a serious enough nature as to warrant outside review.’
Davie, 62, first gained national prominence as defensive coordinator at Notre Dame under legendary coach Lou Holtz from 1994 until 1997, when Davie replaced Holtz.
Davie went only 35-25 over a disappointing five-year tenure as Notre Dame’s head coach before being fired and replaced with Ty Willingham in 2001.
Davie is best known as Lou Holtz’s replacement at Notre Dame. Over five disappointing seasons, Davie’s Fighting Irish went 35-25, losing all three bowl games in which they played
After a decade-long stretch as a college football analyst for ESPN, Davie returned to coaching in 2012 and helped to improve the long-dormant New Mexico program.
The Lobos had their best season under Davie in 2016, going 9-4 and ending the season with a New Mexico Bowl victory over the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Davie’s predecessor at New Mexico, Mike Locksley, was suspended by the school for 10 days in 2009 after an altercation with an assistant coach.
NMFishbowl.com previously reported that outgoing football players ‘felt awkward around’ Davie and found that he had ‘no personal relationship with players.’
The Lobos are currently 1-1 in 2017.