Mike Locksley, whose 33 months as New Mexico’s head coach have been marked by failures both on and off the field, became the first coach to be fired in 2011 after another off-field incident and another embarrassing loss.

The Lobos fell to 0-4 this season, losing on Saturday to FCS Sam Houston State, 48-45 in overtime, in front of an announced attendance of just 16,313, the smallest home crowd since 1992.

Shortly before the game kicked off, Joshua Butts, a 19-year old from Chicago was pulled over near University Stadium in Albuquerque while driving an SUV registered to Locksley’s wife and son. When questioned, Butts claimed to be a Lobos recruit driving to the game in “coach’s car.”

However, university officials denied he has any connection to the New Mexico football program and said the car was loaned to him by Locksley’s son, a walk-on with the Lobos. Butts was arrested and charged with DWI. Three other people in the car — all minors — were also cited for a variety of alcohol-related offenses.

Locksley has had a rocky tenure as head coach since taking over the New Mexico program in December 2008. The Lobos have gone just 2-26 during his time in Albuquerque. In addition to his on-field failures, Locksley has faced a variety of off-field issues, including serving a 10-day suspension for punching an assistant coach and settling a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by his former administrative assistant.

Defensive coordinator George Barlow has been named interim head coach.

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