Danny Gonzales

For the YouTuber, see Danny Gonzalez.

Danny Gonzales
Current position
TitleDefensive Coordinator
TeamArizona
ConferenceBig 12
Biographical details
Born (1976-01-13) January 13, 1976 (age 49)
Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Playing career
1994–1998New Mexico
Position(s)Punter, safety
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1999–2002New Mexico (GA)
2006–2008New Mexico (S/ST)
2011–2016San Diego State (S)
2017San Diego State (DC/S)
2018Arizona State (DC)
2019Arizona State (AHC/DC)
2020–2023New Mexico
2024Arizona (LB/ST)
2025Arizona (DC)
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
2003–2005New Mexico (video coordinator)
Head coaching record
Overall11–32

Daniel Ray Gonzales (born January 13, 1976) is an American football coach and former player. He is the defensive coordinator at the University of Arizona, a position he has held since 2024. He previously was the head football coach at the University of New Mexico from 2020 to 2023.[1] Prior to 2018, Gonzales had spent his college coaching career on Rocky Long's staffs at the University of New Mexico and San Diego State University.

Playing career

Gonzales attended University of New Mexico, where he was a three-year letterman for the New Mexico Lobos at punter and safety. As a senior, he won the Chuck Cumming Memorial award for morale and spirit, and the Lobo Club Award for unselfish devotion to the team.

Coaching career

Following his playing career, Gonzales joined the coaching staff at the New Mexico as a graduate assistant from 1999 to 2002. He served as the team's video coordinator from 2003 to 2005. He was then promoted to a full-time assistant, coaching the team's safeties, kickers, punters and long snappers from 2006 to 2008.

In 2011, Gonzales joined Rocky Long's staff at San Diego State University. He coached the safeties for six seasons, before being promoted to defensive coordinator prior to the 2017 season. He continued to coach the safeties.

In 2018, Gonzales was hired as a part of Herm Edwards' first staff at Arizona State University to serve as the defensive coordinator.

On December 17, 2019, Gonzales was hired as the Lobo's new head coach, replacing Bob Davie.

On November 25, 2023, Gonzales resigned from his position at the University of New Mexico after serving as head coach for four years.[2]

On January 25, 2024, Gonzalez was hired to join Brent Brennan and the University of Arizona as the special teams coordinator and linebackers coach.[3]

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs
New Mexico Lobos (Mountain West Conference) (2020–2023)
2020 New Mexico 2–5 2–5 T–7th
2021 New Mexico 3–9 1–7 6th (Mountain)
2022 New Mexico 2–10 0–8 6th (Mountain)
2023 New Mexico 4–8 2–6 T–10th
New Mexico: 11–32 5–26
Total: 11–32

Personal life

Gonzales, an Albuquerque, New Mexico native, is a 1998 graduate of the University of New Mexico where he earned his bachelor's degree in business administration and general management, and his master's degree in physical education and recreation. He and his wife, Sandra, have four children: Cole, Jake, Chloe and Abby.

References

  1. ^ Rittenberg, Adam (December 17, 2019). "New Mexico hires ASU DC Danny Gonzales as new head coach". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  2. ^ "New Mexico fires Gonzales after four-year stint". ESPN.com. November 26, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  3. ^ "Danny Gonzales and Chip Viney Join Coach Brennan's Staff". arizonawildcats.com. January 25, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.