Eastern mum on Elliott's successor

Eastern New Mexico University’s new head football coach is already on staff, but officials on Tuesday would not be more specific about who will replace Bud Elliott.

The university has scheduled a press conference for 1:30 p.m. today at Greyhound Arena to announce the successor to Elliott, who guided the Greyhounds for 11 years.

Eastern athletic director Mike Maguire said the new head coach is a “quality person” already working on the football staff.

Elliott’s two top assistants are defensive coordinator Mark Ribaudo and offensive coordinator Mike Howard.

Howard said Tuesday he would not be the next Greyhound head football coach.

Ribaudo offered no comment other than to say he’s been busy with recruiting.

Both Howard and Ribaudo have been with ENMU for eight seasons. The highest-tenured members after those two are Eric Boll (six years), who also serves as the track and field coach, and running backs coach Mike Walton (five years).

Elliott implied that he knows who his successor will be but said, “I don’t think I should be releasing that (information). ... I feel very good about who it’s going to be.”

Elliott announced his retirement earlier this year and finished his 11 years at ENMU with a 68-49-2 record.