Spence Nowinsky transforms New Mexico football with top-ranked defense

Spence Nowinsky has turned New Mexico's defense into the nation's best, allowing just 10.89 points per game this season. After coaching changes left him at Idaho, Nowinsky took a significant pay cut to return to football. His coaching has contributed to the Lobos winning 17 of Jason Eck’s first 22 games, marking a historic turnaround for the program. New Mexico has also achieved rankings in the US LBM Coaches and AP polls for the first time. So far, opponents have scored only 11 touchdowns in 36 quarters against Nowinsky's defense, which has retained key players and thrived under his aggressive yet simplified schemes.

• 10:12 AMYahoo Sports — His days on oil rigs are done. Spence Nowinsky strikes it rich with New Mexico football