Search For new lobo basketball coach

The Search for New Mexico’s Next Head Coach: Why the Lobos’ Position is Among the Best in College Basketball

The news hit hard Tuesday night—Richard Pitino is leaving Albuquerque for Xavier, stepping into the Power Five ranks after a stellar 2024-25 season.

Pitino’s tenure at New Mexico culminated in a Mountain West regular-season championship, a 27-8 record, and an NCAA Tournament run that included a first-round win over Marquette.

 Under his leadership, the Lobos became nationally relevant again, proving that New Mexico is a premier mid-major program with the potential to compete at the highest levels.

With his departure, the University of New Mexico faces a critical moment: Who will lead the Lobos next?

This isn’t just another coaching vacancy—a destination job in college basketball. The Lobos have a rich tradition, an elite fan base, and one of the best home-court advantages in the country.

A savvy coach who embraces the culture, recruits well, and builds on the current momentum could make New Mexico a national contender once again.

Why the New Mexico Job is Special

The University of New Mexico has everything a coach could want at the mid-major level. The program boasts:

• The PIT Advantage–One of the most iconic and intimidating arenas in college basketball. The PIT isn’t just loud—it’s deafening.
• Opposing coaches and players routinely call it one of the country’s most challenging places to play. When Lobo fans pack the 15,000-seat arena, it creates an electric atmosphere that few programs outside the Power Five can match.
• A Passionate Fanbase–Albuquerque lives and breathes Lobo basketball. The fans aren’t just casual observers but are deeply invested in the program’s success. Even through coaching changes and tough seasons, the support never wavers. When the Lobos are winning, the city is on fire.
• Strong Conference Affiliation – The Mountain West is thriving. It’s consistently ranked among the top basketball conferences in the country, regularly sending multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament. The league is also one of the best-paying mid-major conferences, with competitive coaching salaries allowing top-tier recruiting and staff development.
• A Stepping Stone to the Power Five (or a Long-Term Home) – The last two Lobo head coaches—Richard Pitino and Steve Alford—parlayed their success at UNM into Power Five jobs. But for the right coach, New Mexico is a place to build a legacy, not just a stepping stone. A deep NCAA Tournament run here would turn any head coach into a household name.
• NIL and Recruiting Potential – The NIL landscape has changed how programs operate, and New Mexico is adapting quickly. With strong support from boosters and a program on the rise, the Lobos can offer competitive NIL opportunities, helping to attract and retain top talent.

With these advantages in mind, it’s no surprise that top-tier candidates are lining up for this job.

Who’s Next? The Top Candidates for the UNM Job

UNM Athletic Director Fernando Lovo is moving quickly to identify the next leader of Lobo basketball. While the search remains fluid, several names have emerged as serious contenders.

Established Mid-Major Coaches

• Eric Olen (UC San Diego) – A rising star who led UC San Diego to a 30-5 record and an NCAA Tournament berth in their first year of eligibility. His teams play efficient, disciplined, and exciting basketball, ranking highly in key statistical categories.
• Russell Turner (UC Irvine) – A proven winner who has made UC Irvine a powerhouse in the Big West, winning seven conference titles in the last 12 years and earning multiple NCAA Tournament bids.
• Joe Pasternack (UC Santa Barbara) – Has built UCSB into a perennial Big West contender, with numerous 20+ win seasons and NCAA appearances. Pasternack is known for his ability to recruit and develop NBA-level talent.
• Bucky McMillan (Samford) – The mastermind behind Samford’s resurgence, leading them to their first NCAA Tournament since 2000. His up-tempo style and high-energy approach could fit perfectly in The PIT.

Former Power Five Coaches and Proven Mountain West Names

• Craig Smith (Former Utah Coach) – Found success at Utah State, leading them to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments. Though things didn’t work out in Utah, his Mountain West experience and ability to build a winning culture make him a strong candidate.
• Tim Miles (San Jose State) – A Mountain West coaching veteran, Miles knows how to build competitive programs in challenging environments. He was a finalist for the UNM job in 2021 and is reportedly interested again.

photo credit 247Sports

The Familiar Faces: Could There Be a Reunion?

• Steve Alford (Nevada) – The most successful Lobo coach of the past 25 years, Alford led UNM to multiple conference titles and NCAA Tournament runs. While a return seems unlikely, his name will always be in the conversation.

photo credit nevadasports.com

• James Borrego (New Orleans Pelicans Assistant, NBA) – An Albuquerque native and former NBA head coach, Borrego nearly landed the Lobo job in 2017. His NBA experience, local ties, and coaching pedigree make him an intriguing option. His deep ties to the community, Albuquerque Academy graduate and New Mexico’s large Hispanic fan base would create an immediate surge in excitement, ticket sales, and recruiting power.

photo credit wcnc.com

Internal and Dark Horse Candidates

• Isaac Chew (UNM Associate Head Coach) – Pitino’s top recruiter and a key architect of UNM’s success over the past four seasons. Promoting him could help with player retention and continuity.

photo courtesy of UNM Athletics

• Alan Huss (High Point Head Coach, Former UNM Assistant) – A former Lobo assistant under Craig Neal, Huss has led High Point to back-to-back record-setting seasons and an NCAA Tournament berth.

photo courtesy burnerball.com

What’s Next?

With key roster decisions looming, NIL negotiations underway, and the transfer portal heating up, UNM must move fast. Athletic Director Fernando Lovo knows what’s at stake.

photo credit UNM Athletics

This will be his first significant hire since taking over as the new Lobo Athletic Director, and you can bet his aim is to make a big splash to keep this program momentum going in New Mexico.

The right hire can elevate New Mexico into a national contender. A deep tournament run is within reach, and with The PIT rocking and the city behind them, the next Lobo coach will have everything needed to build something special.

This is a defining moment for Lobo basketball and the right pick for them will energize an already Loyal fan base in the PIT in Albuquerque.