In a single, thrilling season, Jason Eck has done the unthinkable: He’s restored hope to UNM football, led the Lobos to bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016, and even put a conference title within reach.

But for loyal UNM fans, this meteoric rise sparks an all-too-familiar, painful question: Will he stay?

We asked Coach Eck the question everyone is afraid to: Could you see yourself being a Lobo for a long time, or are you preparing to make a jump?

Eck lays out the stark reality of what it will take for the Lobos to keep him and his program competitive for years to come.

Find out what Jason Eck said about his future, his priorities, and the long-term vision for UNM Football.

ALBUQUERQUE — The UNM men’s basketball team used stifling defense to set the tone early against UT Arlington, defeating the Mavericks 74-56 in The Pit. Freshman forward Tomislav Buljan led the way with a team-high 17 points, including 13 after halftime, as the Lobos consistently fed him the ball inside. Senior Chris Howell helped facilitate the offense with five assists, while senior guard Deyton Albury added 15 points and went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, marking his first double-digit performance in four games. UNM returns to action Tuesday, Nov. 11, when they host UC Riverside at The Pit.

ALBUQUERQUE — The UNM men’s basketball team looks to stay unbeaten when it hosts UT Arlington on Saturday at The Pit. It’s a rematch of a 2023 thriller decided by a Donovan Dent layup, though neither team returns a single player from that game. The Mavericks, picked fourth in the WAC, opened their season with a dominant 91–40 win over North Texas–Dallas, holding their opponent without a field goal for nearly 16 minutes. Preseason All-WAC forward Raysean Seamster led UTA with 17 points and 15 rebounds, while transfers Cash Chavis (Arkansas) and Tyran Mason (North Texas) also contributed. UNM, meanwhile, aims to improve its offensive execution while building on a strong defensive effort in its win against East Texas A&M on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m., with a ticket promotion offering free tickets for children 12 and under with the purchase of one adult ticket.

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico—In UNM’s season opener, the Lobos shifted their offensive focus from perimeter shooting to attacking the paint against East Texas A&M. The Lobos won the rebound count 43-39 and scored scored 38 points inside the paint. Freshman Uriah Tenette made a strong debut off the bench with 14 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals. Hall also chipped in 14 points while Tajavis Miller added 11 off the bench. UNM’s defense forced 21 turnovers and held ETA&M to 34% shooting. Olen emphasized the team’s defensive strength and expects offensive execution to improve. UNM next faces UT Arlington on Saturday at The Pit.

Knockout in Vegas: Lobo Football Punches Ticket to Bowl Season!

The New Mexico Lobos didn't just win a football game in Las Vegas—they won a heavyweight title fight and earned their first trip to a bowl game since 2016!

In a thrilling, back-and-forth battle at Allegiant Stadium, the Lobos (6-3, 3-2 MW) showcased the resilience and resolve of first-year coach Jason Eck, taking down high-octane UNLV, 40-35.

Lobo Football's Dangerous Success: Why a Win in Vegas Could Be a Long-Term Loss

The New Mexico Lobos are just one win away from their first bowl game since 2016, a spectacular achievement for a team with the fewest returning players in the FBS. The Lobos' rapid turnaround—highlighted by last week's dominant victory over Utah State—is a testament to the brilliance of first-year coach Jason Eck.

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico—The UNM men’s basketball team jumped out to a 16–2 lead over Northern Arizona in Thursday’s exhibition but cooled off en route to 64-54 win. Antonio Chol (20 points) and Jake Hall (12) led the Lobos, who shot 36% overall and 31% from three. Coach Eric Olen said the team “regressed” in shot selection and UNM struggled with turnovers and missed free throws. After dominating early defensively, UNM allowed NAU to shoot 45% in the second half. The Lobos will start the regular season next Wednesday at 7:00 pm against East Texas A&M.

PULLMAN, Washington—The Lobos opened the Eric Olen era with a 74–66 exhibition loss to Washington State, but Olen remained optimistic afterward, citing encouraging defensive stretches and valuable lineup experimentation. UNM led 38–37 at halftime after forcing 13 turnovers and closing the half on a 14-5 run, but the offense collapsed in the second half, hitting just 20% from the field and 13% from three as the Cougars pulled away. Despite the loss, Olen said the exhibition gave his team a chance to build chemistry and evaluate rotations ahead of the regular season.

"We're Looking Pretty Good": Lobo Football Kicks Bronco Out of the Land of Enchantment

The University of New Mexico football team just sent a very clear message to their old coach: thanks for the breakup. In a performance that was equal parts dominant and delicious, the Turquoise-Laden Lobos pummeled Bronco Mendenhall's Utah State Aggies 33-14, putting on the best display yet of the Jason Eck era. Before a jubilant crowd, the Lobos didn't just win; they closed the book on the drama of Mendenhall's quick departure from Albuquerque with a decisive, three-phase victory.

Bronco and a bowl game with a turquoise twist. Forget the humble 5-7 record—the storyline for this Saturday’s clash between the New Mexico Lobos and Utah State Aggies is drenched in turquoise, betrayal, and the tantalizing scent of a bowl berth. With a win, the rejuvenated Lobos—under a new staff and featuring 72 fresh faces—will stand just one victory away from their first bowl game since 2017. That's a magnificent feat in its own right. But the game’s intrigue goes deeper than conference standings and high-powered Aggie offense. It’s about the man on the visitors’ sideline: coach Bronco Mendenhall.

Forget perfection. For the New Mexico Lobo football team, "winning ugly" isn't just a phrase—it's quickly becoming their defining, albeit messy, strategy. Their recent 24-22 victory over Nevada was a microcosm of their season: a dramatic, error-filled battle where the beauty of the game was a beast they narrowly tamed. The Lobos lost the turnover battle, missed a field goal, racked up eight penalties, and even had a touchdown wiped out. And yet, they led wire-to-wire. As Eck himself put it, “It’s awesome when you can overcome things... We’re a tough-minded team. We battle and we compete, no matter what the situation.”

UNM’s Defensive Identity—UNM head coach Eric Olen is bringing his signature fast-paced, space-and-pace offensive style to the Lobos — but it starts with defense. With 14 newcomers, the team has embraced a high-intensity, turnover-focused defensive identity that mirrors Olen’s 2024–25 UC San Diego squad, which ranked among the nation’s best in efficiency and steals. The Lobos are expected to at times run a disruptive matchup zone that blurs the lines between man and zone defense, designed to confuse opponents and fuel transition offense. Despite some fan concerns about a lack of traditional bigs, Olen emphasizes the team’s length and versatility across positions. The vision is clear: create chaos on defense, run the floor, and let it fly from deep

The UNM Lobos are standing at the tipping point of their 2025 season. At 3-3, this Saturday's home clash against the struggling Nevada Wolfpack isn't just another game—it's a definitive must-win for any realistic shot at a bowl berth. Favored by over a touchdown, the Lobos must capitalize on this golden opportunity to "defend our home field," as Coach Jason Eck emphasized.

Lobo Howl - Freshman guard Uriah Tenette and junior forward Kevin Patton Jr. cranked the energy to the maximum, closing the night with a spectacular dunk contest that more than compensated for the tepid tipoff. In front of an estimated crowd of 2,000 at the Pit, the 5'11" Tenette soared through the air, delivering a quartet of hair-raising slams that ultimately edged out Patton Jr. in an electrifying extra round.

The University of New Mexico Lobo Football team gave a lion-hearted effort on the blue turf, battling the favored and statistically dominant Boise State Broncos into a one-score game entering the fourth quarter. Despite an atrocious start and being outmatched in size, speed, and depth, the Lobos showed a new resolve, even briefly leading 14-10 in the second quarter.

After a promising 3-1 start to the 2025 season that included a win over UCLA, the New Mexico Lobo football team suffered a "deflating loss" to Mountain West rival San Jose State, falling 35-28.

While frustrating, the coach views the loss as a necessary "reality check" for an up-and-coming program learning how to sustain success. The Lobos (3-2, 0-1 Mountain West) now face a tough road test against Boise State (3-2, 1-0), a place UNM hasn't won since the legendary "Greatest Night in Albuquerque Sports History" in 2015.

Lobo Howl - Freshman guard Uriah Tenette and junior forward Kevin Patton Jr. cranked the energy to the maximum, closing the night with a spectacular dunk contest that more than compensated for the tepid tipoff. In front of an estimated crowd of 2,000 at the Pit, the 5'11" Tenette soared through the air, delivering a quartet of hair-raising slams that ultimately edged out Patton Jr. in an electrifying extra round.

In their Mountain West opener, the New Mexico Lobos found themselves outdueled and under pressure, falling to the San Jose State Spartans 35-28.The difference came down to the quarterbacks: UNM's Jack Layne (28-of-40 for 344 yards, 3 INTs) struggled against a pass rush that tallied four sacks, while Spartans QB Walker Eget was masterful, completing 26 of 30 passes for 304 yards and three touchdowns. As Lobos coach Jason Eck admitted, "I thought their quarterback was outstanding."

It's a new feeling for the University of New Mexico football team. While the annual Lobo Howl for basketball is tomorrow, all eyes are also on the football team as they open their Mountain West season on the road in San Jose.

The Lobos are off to a 3-1 start—their best since 2007—and coach Jason Eck thinks that puts a "bull's-eye" on their back. Despite being 2.5-point underdogs to San Jose State (1-3), Eck expects the Spartans to be "desperate" to avoid a 1-4 start.

UNM men’s and women’s basketball prepare to showcase teams at the Lobo Howl on Saturday evening at The Pit. This is the first Lobo Howl since the 2017 season.