ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Lobo men's basketball program has its next head coach. New Mexico has agreed to terms with Eric Olen.
The 44 year-old coach is coming off a season where he led UC San Diego to the NCAA tournament in the program's first season of eligibility. The Tritons finishe
d the season with a 30-5 record.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Eric Olen as the new head coach of Lobo Men’s Basketball,” said UNM athletic director Fernando Lovo. “Eric is a proven winner with an incredible track record. Beyond the accolades and success on the court, he is a values-driven leader who puts student-athletes first.
Olen has spent his entire coaching career at UC San Diego. He has been the head coach of the Tritons since 2013 and compiled a record of 240–119. Under Olen's leadership, UCSD made the transition from Division II to Division I and the Big West Conference in 2020. While in DII, Olen led the Tritons to five consecutive NCAA DII tournaments. The program previously only had one postseason appearance.
Other accolades for Olen include Big West regular season and tournament titles, three California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) regular season titles and four CCAA tournament titles. He has been named conference coach of the year four times, twice in the Big West and Twice in the CCAA.
“I am honored to be the next Head Coach of New Mexico Men’s Basketball,” said Olen. “I want to thank President Stokes, Fernando Lovo, and the UNM leadership team for this opportunity. This is one of the most special programs in college basketball, and my family and I are thrilled to be a part of Lobo Nation! I can’t wait to get to work and write the next great chapter in New Mexico basketball history.”
Olen replaces Richard Pitino as head coach of the Lobos, who left UNM on for the same role at Xavier. ...read more read less
