SAN DIEGO (AP) - Defensive coordinator Rocky Long was promoted to head coach at San Diego State after Brady Hoke was hired away by Michigan, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.
The person spoke Tuesday night on condition of anonymity because SDSU hasn't announced the promotion. That is expected to happen at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
Long inherits a team that enjoyed a quick turnaround under Hoke. The Aztecs were 9-4 in 2010, including a victory against Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl. It was SDSU's first winning season and bowl berth since 1998. Hoke was 13-12 in two seasons before Michigan hired him Tuesday to replace the fired Rich Rodriguez.
Long joined Hoke's staff in December 2008, weeks after he resigned following 11 seasons as New Mexico's head coach.
It was a surprise when Long stepped down at New Mexico on Nov. 17, 2008, following a 4-8 season. He said then that he wanted to make way for someone who could take the Lobos to a Mountain West championship.
"I don't see it happening with me as the head coach," he said then.
Long, a three-year starter at quarterback for the Lobos from 1969-71, compiled a 65-69 record and guided the Lobos to five bowl appearances in his final seven seasons. In 2007, his team broke the school's 46-year drought without a bowl victory, beating Nevada 23-0 in the New Mexico Bowl.
Long also was defensive coordinator at UCLA, Oregon State and Wyoming.
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