David Cobb was placed on administrative leave by New Mexico State just weeks before the start of the college football season and just days before the start of fall camp. The university ultimately fired its running backs coach, assistant head coach and general manager after an investigation.
It has not yet provided an explanation for the sudden ouster.
This creates an unexpected shakeup to the Aggies’ college football coaching staff at an extremely inopportune time. They are scheduled to play their first game at the end of the month.
David Cobb is out at New Mexico State.
Former New Mexico State head coach Jerry Kill hired David Cobb as the program’s director of scouting and NFL liaison in 2023. After Kill was replaced by Tony Sanchez, he was promoted.
Cobb held the titles of assistant head coach, general manager and running backs coach. Not anymore!
According to a statement from the university, he was placed on administrative leave before the start of fall camp. It ultimately let him go after an internal review.
“Before the start of football camp, David Cobb was placed on administrative leave. Following the university’s review process, Coach Cobb was separated from the program and the university. Our athletics department remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and professionalism. Out of respect for the process and university policy, we will have no further comment regarding this matter.”
Sanchez can not comment further about the situation. He has yet to reassign Cobb’s duties.
I asked NMSU coach Tony Sanchez on who will be coaching RBs this season with David Cobb’s sudden departure from the staff. He says they should have an announcement on that sometime next week.
— Nick Coppola (@Nick_Coppola__) July 31, 2026
He couldn’t comment on why Cobb is gone. Said administration is dealing with it. pic.twitter.com/v7UdNuEDz6
The Aggies plan to name a replacement in the next week. It is unclear as to whether he will come from within the program or through an outside hire.
Why did the Aggies fire their college football general manager?
New Mexico State did not provide a specific reason for the separation. Nor does it plan to do so. David Cobb has been removed from the website. Nobody knows why.
However, according to James Baca, NCAA representatives met with the university earlier this week. Their presence on campus in Las Cruces may or may not related to the unexpected shakeup to the coaching staff. The university conducted its own investigation. It made the decision to let Cobb go based on its findings.
This saga remains a mystery. Nobody outside of the program seems to know what happened. Cobb has yet to break his silence.