Who is D.J. Hernandez?

D.J. Hernandez is an American football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the New Mexico Lobos football team.

As a player, Hernandez was a quarterback for the New Mexico Lobos from 1996 to 1999. He was a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection and led the Lobos to two bowl games.

After his playing career, Hernandez began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at New Mexico in 2001. He then spent time as an assistant coach at Eastern New Mexico University, the University of Texas at El Paso, and the University of Arizona.

In 2012, Hernandez was named the head coach at New Mexico. He led the Lobos to a bowl game in his first season and has since won two bowl games with the team.

Hernandez is known for his offensive prowess and his ability to develop quarterbacks. He has coached several quarterbacks to All-Conference honors, including Cole Gautsche, Lamar Jordan, and Tevaka Tuioti.

D.J. Hernandez

D.J. Hernandez, an American football coach and former player, is widely recognized for his expertise and contributions to the sport.

Coach: Head coach of the New Mexico Lobos football team
Quarterback: Played quarterback for the New Mexico Lobos from 1996 to 1999
Offensive Prowess: Known for his offensive strategies and quarterback development
Bowl Games: Led the Lobos to three bowl games as a player and two as a head coach
Awards: Two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection as a player
Success: Coached several quarterbacks to All-Conference honors

These key aspects highlight D.J. Hernandez's multifaceted role in football. As a player, he excelled as a quarterback, earning recognition for his skills. Transitioning to coaching, he has demonstrated his offensive prowess by leading teams to bowl victories and developing exceptional quarterbacks. His success in these roles showcases his expertise and dedication to the sport.

1. Coach

The connection between "Coach: Head coach of the New Mexico Lobos football team" and "D.J. Hernandez" is significant as it represents Hernandez's current role and responsibilities within the sport of American football.

As the head coach of the New Mexico Lobos football team, Hernandez is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the program, including player recruitment, game strategy, and team performance. His role encompasses various tasks such as:

Developing and implementing offensive and defensive strategies
Recruiting and developing players
Motivating and inspiring the team
Managing the team's budget and resources
Representing the team and university in the media and community

Hernandez's success as the head coach of the New Mexico Lobos football team is evident in the team's performance under his leadership. He has led the Lobos to three bowl games, including the 2015 New Mexico Bowl and the 2017 Gildan New Mexico Bowl, showcasing his ability to motivate and guide the team to.

Overall, the connection between "Coach: Head coach of the New Mexico Lobos football team" and "D.J. Hernandez" highlights Hernandez's current role and responsibilities within the sport of American football. He is a respected and successful coach who has made significant contributions to the New Mexico Lobos football program.

2. Quarterback

The connection between "Quarterback: Played quarterback for the New Mexico Lobos from 1996 to 1999" and "D.J. Hernandez" is significant as it represents Hernandez's playing career and the foundation of his football journey.

As the quarterback of the New Mexico Lobos from 1996 to 1999, Hernandez was responsible for leading the team's offense and executing the team's game plan. His responsibilities included:

Reading the defense and making pre-snap adjustments
Communicating with his teammates and coaches
Throwing the football accurately and effectively
Running the football when necessary
Protecting the football from turnovers

Hernandez's success as a quarterback for the New Mexico Lobos is evident in his accomplishments during his playing career. He was a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection and led the Lobos to two bowl games. His individual achievements include:

Passing for over 6,000 yards and 50 touchdowns
Rushing for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns
Setting numerous school records, including most career passing yards and most career passing touchdowns

Overall, the connection between "Quarterback: Played quarterback for the New Mexico Lobos from 1996 to 1999" and "D.J. Hernandez" highlights Hernandez's playing career and the foundation of his football journey. His success as a quarterback laid the groundwork for his transition to coaching and his continued involvement in the sport.

3. Offensive Prowess

The connection between "Offensive Prowess: Known for his offensive strategies and quarterback development" and "D.J. Hernandez" is significant as it represents Hernandez's expertise and contributions to the offensive side of football.

Offensive Strategies: Hernandez is known for his innovative and effective offensive strategies, which have helped his teams to achieve success. He often utilizes a spread offense that emphasizes passing and quick-tempo play. His ability to adapt his offensive game plan to the strengths of his players and exploit the weaknesses of his opponents is a testament to his offensive prowess.
Quarterback Development: Hernandez has a proven track record of developing quarterbacks into successful players. He has coached several quarterbacks to All-Conference honors, including Cole Gautsche, Lamar Jordan, and Tevaka Tuioti. His ability to identify and develop talent at the quarterback position is a key factor in his success as a coach.

Hernandez's offensive prowess has been recognized by his peers and the media. He has been named the Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year twice and has been nominated for the Broyles Award, which is given annually to the nation's top assistant coach. His success as an offensive coordinator and head coach is a testament to his ability to develop and implement effective offensive strategies and develop quarterbacks into successful players.

4. Bowl Games

The connection between "Bowl Games: Led the Lobos to three bowl games as a player and two as a head coach" and "D.J. Hernandez" is significant because it highlights his success both as a player and a coach, and his ability to lead teams to postseason success.

As a player, Hernandez was a key contributor to the New Mexico Lobos football team's success in the late 1990s. He led the Lobos to two bowl games during his playing career, the 1997 Las Vegas Bowl and the 1999 Insight.com Bowl. His leadership and playmaking ability were instrumental in the Lobos' success during that era.

As a head coach, Hernandez has continued to find success, leading the Lobos to two more bowl games in 2015 and 2017. His ability to motivate and guide his players has been key to the Lobos' success under his leadership. His teams have consistently been competitive, and his ability to develop game plans that exploit the weaknesses of his opponents has been a major factor in his success.

Overall, the connection between "Bowl Games: Led the Lobos to three bowl games as a player and two as a head coach" and "D.J. Hernandez" is significant because it demonstrates his success both as a player and a coach. His ability to lead teams to postseason success is a testament to his leadership, game planning, and ability to motivate his players.

5. Awards

The connection between "Awards: Two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection as a player" and "d. j. hernandez" is significant because it highlights Hernandez's accomplishments as a player and the recognition he received for his outstanding performance on the field.

As a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection, Hernandez was one of the top players in his conference and one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. He was a key contributor to the New Mexico Lobos football team's success during his playing career, leading the Lobos to two bowl games.

Hernandez's awards and recognition are a testament to his hard work, dedication, and talent. He was a skilled and versatile quarterback who could make plays with his arm and his legs. He was also a leader on and off the field, and his teammates and coaches respected him.

The practical significance of understanding the connection between "Awards: Two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection as a player" and "d. j. hernandez" is that it provides insight into Hernandez's abilities as a player and his potential as a coach. His success as a player suggests that he has the knowledge, skills, and experience to be a successful coach.

6. Success

The connection between "Success: Coached several quarterbacks to All-Conference honors" and "d. j. hernandez" is significant because it highlights Hernandez's ability to develop and coach quarterbacks, which is a crucial skill for any successful football coach.

Identifying and recruiting talent: Hernandez has a keen eye for identifying and recruiting talented quarterbacks. He has a track record of finding quarterbacks with the potential to be successful at the college level.
Developing quarterbacks: Hernandez is a skilled teacher who can develop quarterbacks both on and off the field. He works with his quarterbacks to improve their physical skills, such as their throwing motion and footwork, as well as their mental skills, such as their decision-making and leadership abilities.
Creating a supportive environment: Hernandez creates a supportive environment for his quarterbacks to learn and grow. He provides them with the resources and guidance they need to succeed, both on and off the field.
Building relationships: Hernandez builds strong relationships with his quarterbacks. He is a mentor and a friend to them, and he is always there to support them. This strong relationship helps his quarterbacks to develop and succeed.

Overall, the connection between "Success: Coached several quarterbacks to All-Conference honors" and "d. j. hernandez" is significant because it demonstrates Hernandez's ability to develop and coach quarterbacks. This skill is essential for any successful football coach, and it is one of the reasons why Hernandez has been so successful in his career.

FAQs about D.J. Hernandez

Here are some frequently asked questions about D.J. Hernandez, an American football coach and former player who is currently the head coach of the New Mexico Lobos football team.

Question 1: What is D.J. Hernandez's coaching record?

D.J. Hernandez has a coaching record of 55-67 as a head coach. He has led the New Mexico Lobos to two bowl games, the 2015 New Mexico Bowl and the 2017 Gildan New Mexico Bowl.

Question 2: What is D.J. Hernandez's offensive philosophy?

D.J. Hernandez is known for his offensive prowess and his ability to develop quarterbacks. He often utilizes a spread offense that emphasizes passing and quick-tempo play. His ability to adapt his offensive game plan to the strengths of his players and exploit the weaknesses of his opponents is a testament to his offensive prowess.

Question 3: What are D.J. Hernandez's accomplishments as a player?

As a player, Hernandez was a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection and led the New Mexico Lobos to two bowl games. He set numerous school records, including most career passing yards and most career passing touchdowns.

Question 4: What is D.J. Hernandez's coaching philosophy?

D.J. Hernandez believes in building a strong foundation of fundamentals and discipline. He demands hard work and dedication from his players and staff. He is also a strong believer in developing relationships with his players and creating a positive and supportive environment.

Question 5: What are D.J. Hernandez's goals for the New Mexico Lobos football program?

D.J. Hernandez's goals for the New Mexico Lobos football program are to win championships and develop young men into successful players and citizens. He wants to create a winning culture and make the Lobos a competitive force in the Mountain West Conference.

Conclusion

D.J. Hernandez is a successful American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of the New Mexico Lobos football team and has a proven track record of success both as a player and a coach. Hernandez is known for his offensive prowess and his ability to develop quarterbacks. He is a dedicated and passionate coach who is committed to building a winning culture and developing young men into successful players and citizens.

Hernandez's success is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. He is a role model for his players and coaches, and he is a valuable asset to the New Mexico Lobos football program. Hernandez is a rising star in the coaching ranks, and he has the potential to lead the Lobos to great success in the years to come.