Henson Seeks to Change His Status

Lou Henson, who took over as New Mexico State’s coach on an interim basis at a salary of $1 a month, has applied for the permanent job.

Henson, 66, has a 13-8 record, 3-4 in the Big West Conference. He became coach in October when Neil McCarthy, the school’s all-time winningest coach (248-123), was reassigned by Athletic Director Jim Paul, who said McCarthy had emphasized winning over academics. McCarthy sued the Paul and the school and is seeking reinstatement.

Henson coached at New Mexico State for nine years from 1966-75, then spent the next 21 seasons at Illinois, where he was the school’s winningest coach with a record of 423-224. He spent one year in retirement after leaving Illinois.