Former Lobo DE Joey Noble learning the coaching ropes as grad assistant

Aug. 15—In the end, Joey Noble did everything he could to keep the dream alive.

His credentials — a force of nature defensive end and New Mexico's MVP in 2021 with 18.5 tackles for loss, the most by any Lobo in 20 years — made it well worth pursuing. After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, that led to rookie mini-camp with the Saints last year, a stint representing the bulk of an NFL career that was shorter than he ever hoped.

Then, a push for an XFL or USFL roster spot, with Noble calling his agent about opportunities in either while he was working at Costco back home in California. An opportunity opened to play indoor football with the San Diego Strike Force in March — something he'd never really given much thought to.

"But gave that a shot," he said.

Through it all, a ghost from his past still nagged him. Not many knew at the time but Noble played the majority of the 2021 season with a separated shoulder — 68 total tackles and 6.5 sacks registered on a joint that still pops and crunches to this day.

That shoulder was still weak when the Strike Force released him. A question asked by every player at the end of their line professionally — what's next? — started to nag him, too.

"It's kind of rough," Noble said, "because I've always wanted to play football, play in the NFL. I really didn't know what I wanted to do after football."

At the suggestion of his family, Noble started helping out with the defensive line at his alma mater, Los Alamitos High School in California. His 50/50 sentiment toward getting into coaching — half into it, half not — started to feel less equal.

"I'm like, 'I kinda like this,'" Noble said.

So Noble called UNM head coach Danny Gonzales and defensive line coach Jerome Haywood about potentially joining as a defensive graduate assistant. Each FBS team is allotted four GAs and at the time, New Mexico had their two defensive spots filled.

Haywood's advice? Keep calling — "consistently and nonstop," Noble remembered. For months, he stayed patient, reaching out to Gonzales about if a spot might open up and texting Haywood along the way.

Maybe three weeks ago, Noble was in Washington with his girlfriend when he got the call from Gonzales: How soon can you be out here?

A few days later, Noble hopped on a flight into Albuquerque, got over to Tow Diehm Athletic Facility and walked right into a defensive meeting — luggage and all.

Since then, Noble said it's been a smoother transition than not as he learns more about the day-to-day duties of a GA than a defense he once spearheaded. Becoming proficient with Excel and Visio has been more of a focus than anything as he continues to assist the defensive line.

It's not the dream. But it's a new chapter. Noble will take that.

"Glad to be back here," he said. "Glad to go to school, get my master's. I feel like my life's taking off right now. It's on the rise."

Offensive line

After Saturday's scrimmage, Gonzales said whoever they thought had the best day at left guard was going to get the bulk of reps there going forward. On Monday and Tuesday, it was Taurrian Stafford's spot with J.C. Davis (left tackle), C.J. James (center), Shannco "Ise" Matautia (right guard) and D.J. Wingfield (right tackle) joining him.

"Best offensive line we've had by far," Gonzales said of his starters. "The top five are pretty solid and I think they're actually pretty good."

A sampling of the second and third team pairings from Tuesday: Jer'Marques Bailey (left tackle), Reese Steele (left guard), Walter Baca (center), Isaiah Sillemon (right guard), Travis Gray (right tackle); Carlos Lovato (left tackle), Reese Steele (left guard), Jacob Webb (center), Matthew Toilolo (right guard), Vincent Santos (right tackle).

Injury update

Running back Andrew Henry tried practicing on Monday night before spending the majority of Tuesday afternoon out of practice with a noticeable limp. Gonzales said he suffered a high ankle sprain during Saturday's scrimmage and it'll likely be a week to 10 days before they get Henry back up to full speed.

"But you can't take the desire out of him," Gonzales said, "and that's why he'll be back probably sooner than that."