After just one season, the University of New Mexico and men’s basketball coach Eric Olen have agreed to a five-year contract, keeping him in New Mexico for the foreseeable future. In his single season at the helm, Olen led the Lobos to a 26-11 record (13-7 in conference play), and an NIT tournament appearance where they made a deep run but ultimately lost to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Olen also now holds the title for most postseason wins (conference & national tournaments) by a first-year Lobo head coach with four.
In a press release by the University on May 11, Olen went into detail about his excitement and gratitude for the extension.
"This past year has been an amazing experience for me and my family,” Olen said. “It’s an honor to lead this program and walking down the ramp on game day is something I will never take for granted. The support from this community and passion of our fan base make the University of New Mexico a truly special place. I appreciate everyone that helped make year one so memorable and I’m excited to build on that foundation. Thank you to Ryan Berryman, President Stokes and the entire administration for their confidence in our staff. We will continue to work every day to make Lobo Nation proud.”
Olen was not the only one who was happy with the extension, as UNM’s Athletics Director Ryan Berryman also commented on the new contract.
“Since his arrival on campus, he has worked tirelessly to enhance UNM's reputation as a basketball power in the West and his success this past season despite having no returning student-athletes is indicative of his leadership. We are excited about the future of Lobo Basketball under (Olen’s) leadership, and I look forward to seeing him, his wife, Lauren, and his daughters in The Pit - Powered by Nusenda for the foreseeable future," Berryman said in the press release.
With Olen extended, all eyes are now on him to continue and sustain the success he had in his first year.
Rodney Prunty is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @rprunty05
