NCAA football: Roanhaus, Highlands still facing an uphill climb
8/27/2008
LAS VEGAS, N.M. — When Chad Roanhaus took over the football program at Las Vegas Robertson High School in August of 2003, his legendary father, Eric, didn't sugar-coat the situation.
"He's up to his (butt) in alligators," said Eric, who at that point had been the head football coach at Clovis High for 25 years, leading the Wildcats to 10 big-school state titles.
Chad was 29 at the time and taking over his first team. Five years later, Eric could say the same thing about Chad's new job — New Mexico Highlands University head football coach.
The Cowboys program has been a place where coaches go to perfect the resignation process. Roanhaus is the seventh head coach since 2000. Pablo Cano didn't even need to draft a letter, he was fired after a 4-6 season. Highlands has had one winning season in the decade — just barely — going 6-5 in 2006.
So the junior Roanhaus is as much about changing a culture as he is drawing up plays.
"We talk about mind-set every day," he says, looking as comfortable in Cowboys' purple as Cardinals' red. "We talk about being a champion everywhere we're at; championship effort, championship character. Making kids believe."
That process starts today in earnest in the season-opener against Fort Hays State, a team that was 4-7 last season.
"The early goal has to be to be two games better by that first conference game," Chad says. "Then to think that the (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship) is the goal every year.
"Do I think it's unattainable this year? Hell, no."
Chad is speaking as man who has more than a job title with the school. He has history. He is the most successful quarterback in the program's existence.
NMHU was 24-9 during Chad's tenure from 1996-99 and the Cowboys finished second in the league twice. He was a graduate assistant in '99 when Highlands won its last RMAC title.
It will take something just short of a miracle to get the Cowboys to that place again. But Chad is used to performing the improbable. After a 1-9 season in 2003, he guided Robertson to two Class AAA state titles and three District 2AAA championships, the best run in the history of the school.
The Cowboys have an uphill climb ahead to be sure, but Chad believes this program can also turn a corner. One hundred eighty-one players turned out at the beginning of Fall practice. They believe they can be the start of something.
"I'm pleased right now," Chad says. "I'm pleased with our work ethic. The things we need have been there."
Every new regime has to start somewhere. Even if it's among a bunch of alligators.