seasons to accept the head football coach position at South Carolina. Joe Lee Dunn era (1983–1986) From 1983 to 1986, Joe Lee Dunn, promoted from assistant coach after Morrison's departure, was the head football coach of the Lobos, compiling a 17–30 record. The Lobos were not able to build upon the successes of Morrison's tenure, posting yearly records of 6–6, 4–8, 3–8 and 4–8 during Dunn's five seasons. Frustration among the fans, athletics department and alumni over the team's struggles led to Dunn's resignation after the 1986 season. Mike Sheppard era (1987–1991) Mike Sheppard was hired away from Long Beach State to take over as head coach of the Lobos football program on December 25, 1986. Under Sheppard, the Lobos sank to new lows, failing to finish better than 3–9 in a single season and fan support and ticket sales at an all-time low to that point. The Lobos record under Sheppard was a dismal 9–50. Sheppard was fired after the 1991 season. Dennis Franchione era (1992–1997) On December 5, 1991, Dennis Franchione was hired away from Texas State and announced as the Lobos new head coach, given the task of rebuilding the lowly program after five dismal seasons. In his six seasons at New Mexico, he led the Lobos to a 33–36 record, including a 9–4 mark in 1997, which earned the Lobos a WAC Mountain Division Championship and an invitation to play in the Insight.com Bowl, a game they lost, their first bowl berth since 1961. Franchione departed New Mexico for TCU after the 1997 season. During the 1996 and 1997 seasons, his roster included future NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher, who would set numerous defensive records during his time at UNM. His #44 was retired at a ceremony of a UNM home football game several years later. Rocky Long era (1998–2008) Rocky Long, previously defensive coordinator at UCLA and a UNM alum, was named as the Lobos' head football coach on December 20, 1997. His overall won-loss record through the 2008 season is 65–69, including 43–31 since 2001, the best five-year stretch for Lobo football in over forty years. He is the most successful head coach in New Mexico Football history, passing Roy Johnson during the 2005 season. He led the Lobos to three straight post-season bowl games (2003–05) for the first time in school history and the Lobos have been bowl-eligible for seven straight