After Hoke accepted the head coaching job at Michigan defensive coordinator Rocky Long was immediately named the new head coach. Rocky Long served as the head coach of New Mexico 1998–2008 where he compiled 65 victories and 5 bowl game appearances in 10 years. During his first 5 years as head coach of the Aztecs (2011–2015) he has led the Aztecs to 5 consecutive bowl games and won San Diego State's first MW title in 2012 (shared), followed by an outright MW Championship in 2015. As of January 1, 2016, he has a 43–23 overall record as head coach of the Aztecs with a 30–9 conference record. In 2015, San Diego State earned an 11–3 record under Long, culminating with an impressive 42–7 victory over Cincinnati.