New Mexico State offensive line coach resigns after receiving two citations for 'huffing compressed air'
Two weeks after New Mexico State announced that Chris Symington would join the staff as offensive line coach, the Aggies are looking for his replacement.
NMSU head coach Doug Martin said that Symington resigned Wednesday citing “on-going health issues.” The Las Cruces Sun-News is reporting that Symington was issued two criminal citations during the week for “huffing compressed air.”
“Right now our concern is for Chris’ health and helping him get better,” Martin said in a release. “Myself and the staff support coach Symington and will do everything we can to help him. His health is more important right now than the game of football.”
According to a police report obtained by the Sun-News, Symington’s second citation in four days took place Tuesday morning inside the bathroom of a CVS Pharmacy. Symington, who was described as “disoriented but cooperative,” reportedly locked himself in the bathroom and admitted to huffing when question by an officer. The report also states that he and his wife told police that he is “suffering from an addiction” to huffing and that Symington would be placed into rehab.
Symington’s first citation was issued Sunday night after an officer found him “slumped over sitting in his vehicle and apparently having seizures.”
Per the Sun-News:
“That officer reported he saw Symington inhale compressed air from a canister. Symington told police he had been in Las Cruces for a week, living temporarily in a dorm.”
Symington, whose hire was announced by NMSU on May 9, replaced Steve Marshall. Marshall left the program for a position with the Green Bay Packers.
Symington arrived at New Mexico State after spending the last five seasons as the offensive line coach at Colorado State-Pueblo. He previously coached at Eastern Michigan, Tennessee State, Western Kentucky and Northwood. He played collegiately at Colorado.
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