Eric Olen Appointed as New Mexico's 23rd Head Basketball Coach
Eric Olen, former UC San Diego head coach, takes the helm as the 23rd head coach of University of New Mexico men's basketball. Athletic Director Fernando Lovo introduced Olen during a press conference at the Davalos Center, marking his second major coaching appointment since December 2024.
Two men display UNM jersey
Olen joins UNM following a remarkable 30-win season and NCAA Tournament appearance with UC San Diego. His teams are known for dynamic offensive systems featuring extensive ball screen usage and efficient three-point shooting, averaging nearly 80 points per game.
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Defensively, Olen's UCSD team ranked second nationally in turnover rate last season, demonstrating his commitment to aggressive, high-pressure defense.
Eric Olen, UNM Lobos basketball coach
The five-year contract worth $6.5 million includes:
- Initial salary of $1.2 million
- Annual raises of $50,000
- Performance bonuses: $25,000 for Mountain West title, $50,000 per NCAA Tournament win
- Contract runs through March 31, 2030
Eric Olen, New Mexico head coach
CBS Sports analyst Jon Rothstein praised the hire, calling Olen "one of the elite offensive minds in college basketball" and describing the appointment as a "home run" for New Mexico.
Two men standing together