CHS grad Lopez leaving Rio Rancho

The Associated Press

RIO RANCHO — Rio Rancho High School football coach Phil Lopez has resigned, saying he wants to return to Texas to coach.

He said Tuesday that he is a finalist for a job at a central Texas school, which he declined to identify.

Lopez, 45, compiled a 29-14 record in four seasons with the Class 5A Rams. Rio Rancho won the past three District 1-5A championships, but were 0-3 in the playoffs.

Lopez graduated in 1980 from Clovis High School and went on to play at New Mexico Highlands University. He was the head coach at Class 1A Fort Sumner High in 1989 and 1990 and at Class 3A Cobre in 1993 and 1994.