NMSU Aggies look to secure championship win amid possibility of head coach's departure

The New Mexico State University football team has had remarkable success for the past two seasons.

Head Coach Jerry Kill led the team to a bowl victory during the 2022 season and is looking to secure a Conference USA championship win on Friday.

NMSU's athletic director Mario Moccia said he knew coach Jerry Kill was the man for the job when he hired him to replace Doug Martin in 2021.

"When we hired Jerry Kill we knew he was the fix-it guy," Moccia said. "I think a lot of people had expectations this year. But I don't think anybody had expectations of a 10-win season, a championship appearance and another bowl game."

In the midst of what could be a historic season for the Aggie football team, fans are bracing for the thought of losing their head coach to a bigger program.

"There's word about him leaving after the big win over Auburn," Bryan Erwin, a student at NMSU said.

Moccia told KFOX14 that Coach Kill is still not making nearly as much money as other coaches in Conference USA, even after his continued success.

"Coach is tied for last in conference USA and that's not something we want," Moccia said.

In a recent press conference, Coach Kill acknowledged the possibility of another offer and said NMSU officials know what it will take to keep him around.

Something Moccia said they are working on, as the department is looking to use donor money to supplement his salary.

"At the end of the day look we certainly want to keep Coach Kill around as long as we can," Moccia said. "We're making really great progress and I think next week we'll know about where we're going to be from a salary standpoint."

KFOX14 spoke to students on campus about Coach Kill's success with the football program.

"Our school spirit has come up a lot, ever since we've been winning and doing so good," Nevaeh Carrillo said.

Students told KFOX14 they hope the administration can keep him around.

"Just pay Coach Kill," Jonathan Humphreys said.

"Do what you can to keep this guy here because he's really turned us around," Bryan Erwin said.

"I feel like we should invest our resources in keeping him here," Ethan Villanueva said.

Meantime other students said they aren't worried about the possibility of Coach Kill leaving.

"I think that the foundation that he's built at NMSU will continue whether he's there or not," Aiden Depoy said.

"I think we need to focus on winning the rest of the season first," Peyton Jaquez said.

The NMSU Aggies are scheduled to take on the Liberty Flames on Friday at 7 p.m. Eastern time in Lynchburg, Virginia.

For a list of places where you can watch the game,

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