Danny Gonzales was promoted to Defensive Coordinator with the Arizona Football program in 2025, after one season as Special Teams Coordinator / Linebackers Coach. Most recently he served for four seasons as head coach of New Mexico. Â
Gonzales brings 151-career wins as a coach to the Wildcats since entering the coaching world as a graduate assistant with New Mexico in 1999. He spent the last four seasons as head coach at the University of New Mexico and has appeared in a bowl game in 14 of the last 17 seasons. Â
He joined his mentor and former coach Rocky Long as Lobo football players returning to coach at their alma mater. Â
In 2022 under Gonzales, New Mexico lowered its total defense yards per game allowed, and the program cut 125.5 yards per game off the total prior to Gonzales arrival. The season prior UNM had a top-30 passing defense, with the Lobos allowing just 202.8 yards per game through the air, finishing No. 30 in the nation after inheriting one of the worst pass defensive teams in the nation in 2019. Â
Gonzales helped New Mexico finish in the top 50 in total defense in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2007-08. The Lobo defense finished in the top 35 in third down defense and in the top 25 in defensive first downs allowed during the 2022 season. Â
Safety A.J. Haulcy earned Freshman All-American giving the Lobos their first All-American since 2014. New Mexico had eight players selected All-Mountain West, tying for the most in the past 10 seasons, and three Second-Team All-Mountain West selections, the second most in the last 10 years. Â
Gonzales has a pair of degrees from The University of New Mexico, earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration and general management in 1998 and a master’s degree in physical education and recreation in 2002. Danny and his wife Sandra have four children: Cole, Jake, Chloe and Abby.Â
THE GONZALES FILEÂ
2025- present      Arizona - Defensive Coordinator
2024                Arizona – Special Teams Coordinator and Linebackers Coach
2020-23                 New Mexico – Head CoachÂ
2018-19         Arizona State – Defensive Coordinator
2011-16                 San Diego State – Safeties Coach
1999-08                 New Mexico – Safeties and Special Teams (‘06-’08), Video Coordinator (‘03-’05), GA (‘99-’02)
