Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The University of New Mexico wants to build an indoor football practice facility and alum Brian Urlacher is willing to help, said Lobos coach Rocky Long.

Long said the Chicago Bears' linebacker and former Lobo has offered to donate $500,000 to the project.

"Brian was more than willing to do it," Long said. "He offered the money before I actually asked him about it. He said, `Coach, when you're ready to build one, I'll give you $500,000.'"

Urlacher, who last year signed a nine-year, $58.5 million contract with the Bears, played his junior and senior seasons at New Mexico.

Conrad Colbert, the school's senior associate athletics director, estimated the cost for the proposed indoor facility at between $1.5 million and $3 million.

Long said Friday there is no timetable yet for the start of construction of the facility.