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New Mexico Hires Eric Olen as New Men's Basketball Head Coach
about 1 year agoUS
The University of New Mexico has officially hired Eric Olen, the architect behind UC San Diego's successful transition to Division I basketball, as their new men's basketball head coach. This move comes after former coach Richard Pitino departed for the head coaching position at Xavier University, leaving big shoes to fill after a strong season for the Lobos.
Key Insights
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Hire Confirmed:: Eric Olen, formerly of UC San Diego, agrees to a five-year deal to become the head coach at New Mexico.
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Olen's Success:: Led UC San Diego to a 30-5 record and an NCAA Tournament berth in their first season of D-I eligibility (2024-25), winning the Big West regular season and tournament titles.
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Pitino's Replacement:: Olen takes over from Richard Pitino, who recently left for Xavier after guiding the Lobos to a 27-8 record and the Mountain West regular-season title.
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Innovative Coaching:: Olen is recognized for his cutting-edge five-out offense and unique matchup zone defense, achieving remarkable success with players often overlooked by larger programs.
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Why this matters:: New Mexico secures a coach praised for program building and tactical acumen, aiming to build upon recent success. Olen gets a significant opportunity at a program with higher resources and recent NCAA Tournament experience.
In-Depth Analysis
Eric Olen's journey to Albuquerque is marked by consistent success. Having spent 21 years at UC San Diego, the last 12 as head coach, he masterfully navigated the program's transition from Division II to Division I. Culminating in a 30-5 season, Big West dominance, and a near-upset against Michigan in the NCAA Tournament (losing 68-65 on a last-second shot), Olen proved his ability to win.
His teams are known for a distinctive style: a five-out "flow" offense that emphasizes spacing and ball movement, paired with an unconventional matchup zone defense. This approach yielded impressive results, including high NCAA NET (64) and KenPom (61) rankings for UCSD this past season – metrics that rivaled or exceeded some Mountain West teams, despite starting primarily Division II transfers.
The coaching search at New Mexico reportedly narrowed after Albuquerque native James Borrego withdrew his name. Olen emerged as a top candidate alongside UAB's Andy Kennedy, ultimately securing the position. His relatively low buyout ($150,000 at UCSD) may have also been a factor compared to other established coaches.
For New Mexico, Olen represents a commitment to innovative basketball and continued competitiveness in the Mountain West following Pitino's successful tenure.
FAQs
Who is Eric Olen?
Eric Olen is the new men's basketball head coach for the University of New Mexico. He previously coached at UC San Diego for 21 years (12 as head coach), leading their successful transition to Division I and an NCAA tournament appearance in 2025.
Why did the previous coach, Richard Pitino, leave New Mexico?
Richard Pitino accepted the head coaching position at Xavier University after leading New Mexico to a Mountain West regular-season title and an NCAA tournament appearance.
What is notable about Eric Olen's coaching style?
Olen is known for implementing innovative systems, including a five-out offensive scheme and an effective matchup zone defense, which contributed significantly to UC San Diego's success.
Key Takeaways
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For Lobo Fans:: Expect a potentially different but exciting brand of basketball known for efficiency and tactical adjustments. Olen has a track record of maximizing talent.
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For College Basketball Followers:: This hire keeps the Mountain West coaching landscape dynamic. Olen's performance at a higher resource program like UNM will be closely watched.
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Looking Ahead:: Olen will need to quickly assemble his staff and hit the recruiting trail, navigating the transfer portal to build a roster capable of competing in the challenging Mountain West.
Discussion
Olen brings a history of success and innovation to Albuquerque. What are your expectations for Coach Olen and the Lobos next season? Let us know!
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Sources & References
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ESPN:: [Sources: New Mexico to hire Olen as new coach](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44467550/sources-new-mexico-hire-uc-san-diego-eric-olen-coach?ref=yanuki.com)
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Albuquerque Journal:: [UNM hires Eric Olen as new Lobo basketball coach](https://www.abqjournal.com/sports/unm-hires-eric-olen-as-new-lobo-basketball-coach/article_8d3b6f2a-ee1b-11ee-8a3b-9f9d9c5a5f8d.html?ref=yanuki.com)
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San Diego Union-Tribune:: [UCSD basketball coach Eric Olen is finalist for opening at a Mountain West program](https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/college/story/2025-03-29/ucsd-tritons-eric-olen-new-mexico-lobos-basketball-coaching-search-andy-kennedy?ref=yanuki.com)
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