After just over one year as the University of New Mexico’s Vice President and Director of Athletics, Fernando Lovo has accepted a job to become the next Athletic Director for the University of Colorado Boulder. The CU Boulder Board of Regents unanimously approved the hire on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025.
The terms of Lovo’s contract span five years, keeping Lovo in Colorado through 2030. His new contract includes a base pay of $600,000 per year in addition to another $600,000 for media activities and community relations. During his time at UNM, Lovo’s contract had a base pay of $400,000 per year over a five-year term. Lovo may have to pay UNM approximately $800,000 as his contract states that he would owe 50% of his base salary for the remainder of the contract term if he were to terminate the contract.
During his tenure, Lovo made many significant hires to help retool the outlook of Lobo Athletics: football Head Coach Jason Eck, basketball Head Coach Eric Olen, promoting new soccer Head Coach Karley Nelson and most recently hiring new volleyball Head Coach Brian Hosfeld.
UNM President Garnett Stokes named Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Operating Officer, Ryan Berryman, as Interim Vice President and Director of Athletics.
“Ryan Berryman brings deep institutional knowledge, steady leadership, and a strong commitment to our student-athletes, coaches, and staff,” Stokes said in a press release on Dec. 30. “His experience and collaborative approach position him well to guide our athletics program during this transition, and I am confident he will continue to build the momentum of Lobo Athletics.”
Berryman has been involved in leadership roles with UNM athletics for the last decade, including oversight of budget and multi-year fiscal planning, human resources, procurement, contract administration, legal affairs and the hires of head coaches Olen and Nelson.
“I am honored by the opportunity to serve the University of New Mexico, my alma mater, in this interim role,” Berryman said in a press release. “Lobo Athletics has a proud tradition and a strong future. I look forward to working closely with our coaches, student-athletes, staff, campus leadership, and community partners to ensure continuity, stability, and continued progress during this period.”
Under Lovo’s leadership, UNM was the only Division I school undefeated at home in both football and basketball in 2025.
Eck recently signed a 5-year extension after helping guide the Lobos to a 9-4 record and their first bowl game appearance since 2016. Eck’s new contract includes a clause that states if Lovo leaves the University and is no longer UNM’s athletic director, the amount Eck must pay the school if he were to leave the head coaching role would be reduced by 50%.
"We thank Fernando Lovo for his service to the University of New Mexico and wish him well in his next chapter. UNM Athletics has built meaningful momentum in recent years, and leadership movement is a normal outcome when programs are successful and gaining national attention. Our focus remains on sustaining that progress and identifying a leader who can build on the strong foundation already in place for our student-athletes, coaches, and programs," Stokes said in a press release.
Lovo released a statement to the UNM community on social media on Dec. 30, thanking fans.
“The strength of Lobo Athletics is about the incredible people inside the department and the unwavering pride and passion of Lobo nation. That foundation is strong, and I am confident it will continue to carry this department forward,” part of the statement reads.
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Alex Joe is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
