Brady Hoke takes San Diego State reins from Rocky Long

Brady Hoke has been named the new head coach at San Diego State after Rocky Long retired from the role, the school announced Wednesday.

Long had reportedly been shopping his services to Power 5 programs as a defensive coordinator in recent days. He spent Monday meeting with Syracuse head coach Dino Babers, who is looking for a new defensive coordinator, according to Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel.

"As of this moment, I'm retired," Long said of potential coaching opportunities, according to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. "That doesn't mean I'm not going to listen to what they have to say.

Long clashed with San Diego State administration over its request to consider potential staff changes, Feldman reports. The 69-year-old had been the head coach at San Diego State since 2011. He posted a record of 81-38, reaching double-digit wins in four of the last five seasons.

Coincidentally, Long replaced Hoke as head coach of the Aztecs in 2011 when the latter departed San Diego State to take over at Michigan. From 2009-10, Hoke amassed a 13-12 record with the Mountain West Conference program.

Hoke then returned to the Aztecs in 2019 as the defensive line coach. The 61-year-old has gone through his share of ups and downs over the past decade:

San Diego State is coming off a 10-3 campaign that ended with a win over Central Michigan in the New Mexico Bowl.