Derrick Baker thought it sounded a little crazy.
Night of Champions — a UNM football tradition — was implemented by Dennis Franchione in 1992, held up by Rocky Long throughout the 2000s and eventually washed away by Bob Davie’s run through the 2010s. Upholding it wasn’t so much hiring criteria for Baker, New Mexico current football’s director of athletic performance, as much as it was a firm condition set by Danny Gonzales.
“One of the first things he told me when he hired me is, ‘we’re gonna do this,'” Baker remembered, sweat lingering on his forehead. “And to be honest, I’ve never done something like this before.